Peace Boat US organized and participated in several events in September as a part of New York Climate Week 2024 and the UN Summit of the Future, which took place in NYC from September 20–29, 2024. The week featured over 600 events, including the Summit of the Future and its Action Days, which kicked off the week.
GloCha Conference 2024 – Celebrating the Future with Culture, Youth, Digital Innovation & Localization of SDGs
On September 18th, preceding the UN Summit of the Future 2024 was the GloCha Celebration of the Future event held at the UN Headquarters, a multi-Stakeholder Conference hosted by the Trusteeship Council chamber, partnered with UNHabitat, UNEP, Glocha, and International Youth Council. The focus of the event was on engaging youth, promoting digital innovation, and localizing the sustainable development goals. It brought together various stakeholders to explore creative solutions and governance innovations, essential for a sustainable future. Peace Boat US Director, Emilie McGlone presented our Youth for SDGs Scholarship Program.
UN Summit of the Future Action Days
Peace Boat US participated in the Action Days ahead of the Summit of the Future. To generate opportunities for the engagement of all actors, the UN Secretary-General convened the Summit of the Future Action Days on 20 and 21 September 2024 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Action Days brought together representatives from Member States, civil society, private sector, academia, local and regional authorities, youth, and many more, which provided an opportunity for broad engagement and inclusion.
On the first Action Day 1, September 20th, an event focused on amplifying youth voices within global climate action was organized by the United Nations Youth Office in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, with the theme, “#YouthLead for the Future: We believe in the promise of a better world for all.” The event underscored the critical role of young leaders in driving global cooperation and holding policy makers accountable. Participants from diverse backgrounds engaged in dynamic discussions, highlighting the urgency of climate action. Workshops and collaborative sessions fostered a sense of community among young activists dedicated to creating a sustainable future.
Disarmament Event
Also on the first day of the United Nations Summit of the Future Action Days, Peace Boat US co-hosted a side event together with the Permanent Mission of Kiribati, the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the UN, Reverse the Trend, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and other partners working towards a nuclear-free and more sustainable future for all. Peace Boat’s Founder, Mr. Tatsuya Yoshioka presented about the importance of civil society action, highlighting Peace Boat’s Hibakusha project, which shares the testimonies of the atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The second Action Day focused on multi-stakeholder partnership and action as the next chapter of multilateralism that is more inclusive. The three priority themes were Digital Futures, Peaceful Futures, and Sustainable Futures for All.
Peace Boat Side-Event: Capacity Building for Intergenerational Collaboration – September 23
At the United Nations Summit of the Future, Peace Boat held a side-event titled, “Capacity Building for Intergenerational Collaboration and SIDS Youth Empowerment on Climate and Ocean Action,” in collaboration with government partners, UN delegates, and civil society organizations. The event focused on the critical role of youth, especially from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in scaling up ocean and climate action.
Discussions centered around the successes and challenges youth face on the front lines of environmental crises, with a focus on opportunities for collaboration under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The event served as a powerful platform for promoting youth leadership and fostering intergenerational partnerships for sustainable development.
Summit of the Future – Day 1 Highlights
The Summit of the Future opening plenary focused on adopting the outcome document “A Pact for the Future.” Statements were made by H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the General Assembly, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and youth representatives Mr. Ghanim Mohammed Al Muftah (Qatar), Ms. Niria Alicía Garcia (USA), and Ms. Monicah Malith (South Sudan). Additional statements were delivered by H.E. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, and H.E. Nangolo Mbumba, President of Namibia.
Highlights of the day included a session which featured an Interactive Dialogue on Transforming Global Governance and the 2030 Agenda, chaired by Nepal’s Prime Minister H.E. K P Sharma Oli. Remarks were made by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (WTO), Mr. Ajay Banga (World Bank), and Ms. Kristalina Georgieva (IMF). A second Interactive Dialogue on Multilateralism for Peace and Security, was chaired by H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone. Speakers included H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Former President of Liberia), H.E. Juan Manuel Santos (Former President of Colombia), and Dr. Comfort Ero (International Crisis Group). The day concluded with remarks from Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
Summit of the Future – Day 2 Highlights
The second day of the Summit of the Future continued with the Interactive Dialogue 3, “Towards a Common Digital Future,” which was co-chaired by H.E. Alar Karis, President of Estonia, and Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives. Remarks were made by ITU Secretary-General Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Microsoft’s Juan M. Lavista Ferres, and Lawyers Hub founder Ms. Linda Bonyo. The morning ended with comments from UN Envoy on Technology, Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill.
In the afternoon, Dialogue 4, “The Future Starts Now,” featured opening remarks by H.E. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, and H.E. Luc Mercelina, Prime Minister of Saint Maarten. Remarks were delivered by UNICEF’s Catherine Russell, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, and Green Climate Fund’s Mafalda Duarte. Final remarks were made by Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs.
The closing plenary ended with the adoption of the “Pact for the Future,” outlining actions on sustainable development, international peace, science and technology cooperation, youth, and global governance.
Blue Planet Alliance Youth and Partnership Reception
On September 24, Blue Planet Alliance, in partnership with Peace Boat US, hosted a dinner at Planta Queen, honoring its global ambassadors. The Blue Planet Ambassador Program was launched during the 2022 Our Oceans Conference in Palau to honor and empower young people from the ages of 16 to 30 to help spread their global mission of islands and countries around the world to legislatively mandated a commitment to 100% energy by 2045. Through the program, Blue Planet Alliance has built a network of youth advocates dedicated to engaging in global activism to make the world transition towards 100% renewable energy by 2045.
Islands Shaping the Future
On September 25th an event titled, “Islands Shaping the Future: Innovating for Resilience and Prosperity” was held at the Science Summit UNGA79 in collaboration with Kinetic and Blue Planet. The Agenda consisted of a youth power hour where trailblazing young leaders from island nations charted the course for a sustainable future. This section was co-hosted by Blue Planet alliance, Peace Boat US, and Ashley Lashley foundation.
Kinetik was proud to launch the Global Young Leaders Collective, an initiative designed to empower the next generation of leaders, including young professionals and youth, within the bioeconomy. Earlier this year, Kinetik hosted its inaugural Youth Summit on islands shaping the future of science and innovation, in partnership with Peace Boat US, Blue Planet Alliance, the Kingdom of Tonga, Science Summit UNGA, RSM, and the Dholakia Foundation.
Climate Impact Talks – September 27
The Climate Impact Talks held at the Hard Rock Hotel New York featured experts from various sectors discussing the urgent challenges of climate change. Presentations covered the latest research, innovative solutions, and actionable steps for a sustainable future, with contributions from UN partners, government representatives, private sector leaders, and youth advocates.
The event concluded with a cocktail reception, offering networking opportunities and further inspiration for collective climate action. The discussions emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing global climate challenges.
6th Annual Marketplace of the Future
Continuing with the Climate Week NYC events, on September 28th, a key event, the 6th Annual Marketplace of the Future, was held, which showcased climate innovations in areas such as composting, carbon capture, green hydrogen, and ocean restoration. The event featured live music, a zero-waste bar, and stunning views of the NYC skyline. This vibrant gathering highlighted the potential of cutting-edge climate solutions, emphasizing collaboration and innovation as essential to achieving a net-zero future. The event reinforced that sustainable solutions are within reach, offering a hopeful vision for the future.
