The United Nations Office at Nairobi is set to host the 2024 United Nations Civil Society Conference in Support of the Summit of the Future on 9 and 10 May. The historic event marks the first time the UN Civil Society Conference will be held in the global South.
The Conference will bring together some 2,000 participants, including registered civil society organisations, academic institutions, think tanks, Member States, private sector companies, UN entities, change makers and other relevant stakeholders from across the globe.
President William Ruto of Kenya and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are expected to deliver remarks at the closing session of the civil-society-led gathering.
Coming ahead of the world leaders’ Summit of the Future, which will take place during 22-23 September 2024 at the UN Headquarters in New York, the Nairobi conference aims to promote civil society’s insights and initiatives to bolster the Member State-led Summit of the Future process and its outcome document, the Pact for the Future, alongside a Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations.
The September Summit of the Future aims to unite a diverse range of stakeholders to take action towards restoring trust and fostering effective international cooperation to deliver on a better present and safeguard the future. This includes accelerating progress towards existing commitments including the Sustainable Development Goals, and agreeing on solutions to global challenges faced across different spheres including financing for development; international peace and security; science, technology and innovation, and digital cooperation; youth and future generations; and transforming global governance.
With the theme Shaping a Future of Global and Sustainable Progress, the Nairobi conference will not only generate momentum but also aim to influence the discussions on the Pact for the Future and at the September Summit through strategic partnerships formed by civil society organizations.
The 2024 UN Civil Society Conference will feature in-depth dialogues, a variety of workshops, and exhibits, and has three main objectives:
- Inclusivity:The conference aims to broaden the scope of discourse on global issues, enhancing the visibility and impact of diverse voices ahead of the Summit of the Future.
- Impact:As a prelude to the Summit of the Future, the Nairobi Conference seeks to form global multi-stakeholder coalitions that will advocate and push forward the key issues that will be the outcome of the September Summit of the Future.
- Innovation:The gathering aims to redefine the interaction between civil society and intergovernmental processes, showcasing a new model of collaboration that spans generations and sectors.