Leaders must ensure today’s policies build a better future for successive generations: Vivian at UN

NEW YORK – Global leaders must ensure that the policies they make today are future-ready to build a better world for successive generations, who will have the biggest stake in that future, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Sept 23.

“The emphasis on incorporating anticipatory planning and foresight in our work is most timely,” Dr Balakrishnan said in a National Statement at the Summit of the Future being held in New York, where UN member states adopted a Declaration on Future Generations.

The declaration seeks to ensure a more sustainable, just and equitable world for present and future generations, and recognises children and youth as agents of change.

“We are glad that the Declaration on Future Generations emphasises youth engagement,” added Dr Balakrishnan.

Speaking at a Summit of the Future Action Days side event, titled The Declaration on Future Generations: From Words to Action, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman said the guiding principles and commitments in the declaration have to be integrated and introduced into the way UN members make decisions and policies, both at home and in the multilateral system.

Participating in the event were representatives from UN member states, civil society, the private sector, academia, the local and regional authorities, youth, and more.

“Some of these are foundational in everything that we do, whether it is respect for international law and the UN Charter; ensuring that human rights are respected, protected and promoted; or building peaceful, inclusive and just societies,” said Dr Maliki.

He said that for Singapore, these principles meant providing opportunities for all and ensuring access to quality education and healthcare, while also promoting social cohesion and religious and racial harmony.

“These core values ensure that we consistently prioritise the needs and interests of future generations. In the same vein, it is important that countries continue to reflect on the declaration and adapt our policies to address the evolving needs of the young people,” he added.

Dr Maliki also said climate change must be addressed for future generations. He noted that Singapore was taking steps to address the problem as the Republic was especially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise.  

“At the same time, we need to balance this with other priorities, such as economic development as well as other constraints,” he said.

“Trade-offs will inevitably need to be made, and we need to engage our people in this journey, especially the young, as the outcomes will impact them the most,” he added.  

Dr Maliki asserted that the global dimension to climate change was important, because no country can solve the problem alone.

Multilateralism must be at the heart of UN members’ response, he said, as he urged young people of this generation to take an active interest in climate change and to hold their governments to account.

Dr Maliki said it was noteworthy that the Declaration on Future Generations recognised children and youth as key collaborators and drivers of change, and observed that it was developed with inputs from many stakeholders, including youth.

“The declaration is a testament to the importance of engaging the youth to understand their aspirations and to forge an inclusive vision for the future. For Singapore, our youth are similarly eager to contribute their views on the nation’s future,” he said.

He cited the series of conversations held in 2023 for Forward Singapore, aimed at forging a national consensus on renewing the social compact. Multiple youth panels were set up to allow young people to co-develop policy positions and thus shape Singapore’s future.

“These discussions have been inspiring, proving that our youth are ready to take an active role in our nation’s future,” said Dr Maliki.

In the National Statement made by Dr Balakrishnan, the minister also said that Singapore strongly supports the Pact for the Future approved by the UN’s 193 member states at the Summit of the Future.

The pact has the goal of bringing together nations to tackle challenges ranging from climate change and artificial intelligence to escalating conflicts and increasing inequality and poverty.

It was accompanied by the Declaration on Future Generations, as well as a Global Digital Compact, which seeks to ensure that digital technologies are used responsibly and for the benefit of all while addressing the digital divide.

“These are critical building blocks for a stronger, future-ready multilateral system,” said Dr Balakrishnan.

The Foreign Minister also reiterated Singapore’s commitment to international law and the UN Charter, stating that member states must recommit themselves to peaceful resolution of disputes through diplomacy.

“The adoption of the pact represents the start of a long and essential journey to reinforce and renew our multilateral system. We need to summon collective commitment to stay the course,” said Dr Balakrishnan.

“We must also have the courage to take the bold action essential for the long-term well-being of future generations. We must forge a future that is fair, just, equitable and inclusive,” he added.