Reinforcing Cooperation in a Disrupted World
What to expect, what’s at stake, and why it matters to you
Against the backdrop of a stunning confluence of global crises, we are almost at the halfway point for the world to achieve the goals set out by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recent world events such as the war in Ukraine, the pandemic and worsening economic forecasts have seen efforts to fulfil the agenda undermined. Greenhouse gas emissions have all hit record highs in recent months and the effects of climate change have been felt worldwide. As a result, experts predict that in 2023 at least 800 million people will be left without enough food - the highest number for decades. Moreover, geopolitical tensions and the breakdown of relationships between states have further exacerbated the food and energy crises and inhibited climate progress. These are problems which threaten the very existence of humanity and cannot be overcome without deeper international cooperation and the will to both finance and action progress on the SDGs.
Accelerated efforts are required. ‘Business as usual’ will not amount to the change needed to stop the devastation of current and future crises - the way the world produces, consumes and works has to be reimagined. What will it take to avert the destruction of the climate? How can progress be financed, and rising generations be more effectively prepared for what is to come? How can multilateral solutions be effective during a time of worsening geopolitical tensions? And how do we plan for a sustainable future while being ready to respond to a myriad of global shocks that show no signs of abating?
Ahead of the 2022 United Nations General Assembly, political, business, and civil society leaders joined the Financial Times, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, to host this strategic preview of the UN General Assembly which explored how important international cooperation can be utilised to overcome the myriad of geopolitical crises including climate, food, energy, and war; while also asking how multilateralism can be redesigned to be more resilient and effective in the modern day.
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