The annual Presidium of the Socialist International (SI) during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was held on 25 September 2024.
During the meeting, Socialist International Vice Presidents, governmental officials, party leaders, and special guests had the opportunity to exchange views on the Pact for the Future and key issues discussed during the UN High-Level Week.
In her welcome speech, SI General Coordinator Chantal Kambiwa referred to the latest initiatives of the SI and underlined the importance of this special meeting to enrich the political debate within the organisation and its member parties.
SI President Pedro Sánchez, in his opening speech, stated that the conversation on the Pact for the Future comes at a time when there is a clear ideological divide between those who believe that:
- Addressing global challenges requires multilateral cooperation and reform of the global governance architecture.
- Reducing inequalities is primarily a matter of justice, but also of global security.
- Investing in human-centred, open, and democratic societies is the best legacy for future generations.
And those who believe that:
- Instead of global cooperation, we should promote isolationism and confrontation.
- Instead of assisting vulnerable countries, social groups, or individuals, we should let the strongest prevail.
- Instead of promoting democracy and the rule of law, we should accept demagoguery, elitism, and embrace irrational and conspiratorial theories.
In response to the question, “How can we address this?” the SI President emphasised that pursuing international agreements is crucial but insufficient. We must link global efforts to regional, national, and local levels, proving that we understand the complexity of today’s world and can offer innovative solutions. This is a key challenge for governments and political parties.
Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, provided an in-depth analysis of the priorities of the Pact for the Future and the challenges ahead if we are to lay the foundations for sustainable solutions that effectively reduce inequalities.
Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, presented the current state of play on climate change, stressing the urgent need to take more action if we wish to meet our agreed goals before it’s too late.
In the discussion that followed, participants agreed that the impact of climate change and the increasing number of consecutive crises have dramatically increased the number of vulnerable people, poverty, hunger, droughts, floods, wildfires, deforestation, domestic violence, trafficking of women and girls, and bloody conflicts across all continents. At the same time, there is a significant concentration of wealth and alarming control over digital markets.
Managing and regulating big data is a key challenge for the future. While technology can significantly improve lives, a global approach is necessary, combined with national measures to ensure ethical data usage, prevent the weaponisation of technology, and foster a culture of responsibility.
Many speakers also raised concerns about how the extreme right uses misinformation and disinformation regarding global challenges, highlighting the need to invest in the educational role of political parties in an inclusive manner.
The rise of populism in Latin America, the crisis in Venezuela, the security impasse in Haiti, the situation in the Caucasus, democratic challenges in Africa, developments in India and Nepal, the oppressive measures against women in Afghanistan, and the dangerous escalation in the Middle East were also discussed by Presidium members and guests.
Participants welcomed the presence of Turkish Cypriot CTP leader Tufan Erhurman and Greek Cypriot AKEL leader Stefanos Stefanou, acknowledging their contribution to the peace-building efforts of the Socialist International in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Presidium meeting was chaired by SI President Pedro Sánchez, alongside General Coordinator Chantal Kambiwa, Executive VP Paulina Lampsa, and VP Liaison to the President, Hana Jalloul.
Also in attendance were SI Vice Presidents Edi Rama (Albania), Özgür Özel (Turkey), Khaoula Lachguar (Morocco), Pia Locatelli (Italy), Manuel Augusto (Angola), Khagendra Chetry (Nepal), Nasima Razmyar (Finland), João Torres (Portugal), Mario Nalpatian (Armenia), and Edmonde Suplice Beauzile (Haiti). Additionally, the Chair of the Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean Miguel Vargas, President of Socialist International Women Janet Camilo, President of IUSY Hend Mgaieth, Secretary-General of IUSY Bruno Gonçalves, honorary SI President Tarja Halonen (former President of Finland), and honorary SI President George Papandreou (former Prime Minister of Greece) attended.
Joining them were Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo; Elio di Rupo, former Prime Minister of Belgium; José Manuel Albares, Foreign Minister of Spain; Arza Rana Deuba, Foreign Minister of Nepal; Tufan Erhurman, leader of CTP (Cyprus); Stefanos Stefanou, leader of AKEL (Cyprus); Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD; Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation; and Ruchira Gupta, founder of Apne Aap.
Following the formal Presidium meeting, a special afternoon session on the global impact of the US presidential elections was held, moderated by Michael Oreskes, with participation from Federico de Jesus, Kate Albright-Hanna, and Nomiki Konst.
