Global Economic & Financial Architecture

Co-Leads

  • Brenda Mofya, OXFAM
  • Richard Ponzio, Stimson Center
  • Camila Tort, Youth Representative

Track Summary (presentation by Camila Tort)

The Global Economic and Financial Architecture track is focusing on a number of diverse yet interrelated elements pertaining to the reform and reimagining of global financial institutions and the economy as a whole. Main elements highlighted include: (1) the implementation of a wealth tax, (2) the need to advocate for equitable spending of tax money for public services, (3) addressing corruption and promoting robust anti-corruption measures within extant institutions, (4) addressing issues pertaining to global value and supply changes, and (5)  the need to develop new methods and metrics by which to measure economic progress that are based on the SDGs, and which take into account (geo)political strengths and challenges. It is notable that, while there is a consensus on most of the elements above, track participants disagreed on the feasibility of implementing the wealth tax and the role of the G20, among other issues; the need to develop new methods and metrics by which to measure economic progress was highlighted as a key area of interest and discussion.

Key Dates 

  • E-Consultation: ​​January 11-24
  • GEFA group virtual preparatory discussion on Thursday, 23 February from 9:30-10:30 am (New York time). [Join here]

Additional Resources

Human Rights & Participation

Co-Leads

  • Anja Mihr, Center on Governance/OSCE Academy
  • Ishaan Shah, MGCY
  • Jeffery Huffines, C4UN

Track Summary (presented by Jeffery Huffines)

The Human Rights & Participation track has identified a number of areas of potential interest, including: (1) the mainstreaming of human rights on all levels and sectors worldwide, (2) the elimination of all forms of discrimination across the board, (3) a focus on intergenerational (youth, elderly), women’s/girls’ rights, and the rights of people with disabilities, (4) climate justice and its relationship to human rights, (5) improved digital cooperation for participation, (6) protecting human rights at the national and local levels, and (7) enhanced inclusion of civil society at the United Nations. The consultations resulted in a consensus of participants regarding the need for transformative change at the United Nations, highlighting the need to reform the institution in order to make it ‘fit for purpose’ in the 21st century. Moreover, there was consensus regarding: the need to reframe the concept of ‘national sovereignty’ as it relates to [the protection of] human rights; the need to highlight Agenda 2030 (and potential successor frameworks) and how it pertains to human rights;  the need to enhance participation of youth and other civil society members; and, consideration of UN institutional reform proposals to enhance human rights protection and enforcement. Track co-leads note that the primary challenge remains how to mold these diverse elements into a coherent and cohesive policy platform.

Key Dates 

  • E-Consultation: January 18-31 

Additional Resources

 Europe (regional consultation)

Development (HLPF, SDGs)

Co-Leads

  • Javier Surasky, CEPEI
  • Georgios Kostakos, FOGGS 
  • Khaled Emam, MGCY 
  • Eliane El Haber, UNESCO SDG4Youth Network Representative

Track Summary (presentation by Javier Surasky)

The Development (HLPF, SDGs) track has identified a number of key elements, many of which dovetail with issues highlighted in other thematic tracks. The main elements emerging from the Development track’s consultations include: (1) concern over how rapidly the global context is changing and how extant frameworks (such as the Agenda 2030, the SDGs, etc.) may best be adapted to address those changes; (2) integrating lessons-learned from other contexts to strengthen the SDG reporting process (representatives noted the UPR and the Committee of World Food Security as a reference point); (3) strengthening increasing stakeholder participation in sustainable development efforts; and (4) the way in which  sustainable development is measured. The group has voiced concerns regarding how best to adapt extant frameworks (SDGs, Agenda 2030) to meet rapidly changing contexts and needs without fully abandoning these frameworks, as well as concerns regarding the meaning of ‘stakeholder’ and ‘meaningful participation’; with respect to the latter point, track members are keen to gain more clarity. Ultimately, there is a strong consensus regarding the following: (1) GDP is not a good measure for sustainable development and we need to move towards dashboards of indicators intead of using a “one an only” indicator, (2) there is a need to strengthen financing streams for sustainable development, (3) there is a need to create a Global Resilience Council, (4) there is interest in designing a Civil Society Strategy to better position civil society in the OCA process, but also in the future “post-2030 agenda” building; these elements are likely to emerge as key outputs and focal points of the Development track.

Key Dates 

  • E-Consultation: January 25 – February 7 

Additional Resources

Global Digital Compact

Co-Leads

  • Anna Kompanek, CIPE 
  • Muznah Siddiqui, Stimson Center
  • Rory Mondshein, Humanitarian Focus Foundation

Track Summary (presentation by Dan Perell)

The Global Digital Compact has identified three main focal areas, namely: (1) the empowerment of individuals through the democratization of the digital space, (2) closing the digital divide (this focal area pertains to matters of access, participation, and, ultimately, empowerment), and (3) ensuring human rights are well-protected online. Moreover, participants have highlighted the need to define a set of underlying principles upon which to base the Global Digital Compact, which will consider these important elements pertaining to access, participation, security, and protection.

Key Dates 

  • E-Consultation: February 1-14 

Additional Resources

Environmental Governance

Co-Leads

  • David Woollcombe, Peace Child International
  • Nandini Harihar, CEEW

Track Summary (presentation by David Woolcombe)

The Environmental Governance track has come up with 5 questions to guide the track’s consultations; they are as follows: (1) What is global governance?, (2) What kind of global governance are we looking for? (Relatedly, what is the role of trust and accountability in this ‘new’ global governance?), (3) What technology might be complementary or conducive to the transition to the ‘new’ global governance?, (4) What finance mechanisms are necessary to achieve this vision of global governance?, and, (5) What is the role of geoengineering and other tech-based ideas for delivering environmental governance? Should these ideas be discouraged or encouraged? Using these questions as a guiding framework, the Environmental Governance track hopes to produce 7-10 concrete recommendations from consultations.

See complete summary here

Key Dates 

  • E-Consultation: February 8-21 

Additional Resources

Peace and Security

Co-Leads

  • Alyn Ware, PNND
  • Aline Burni, FEPS
  • Sofia Anton, Kofi Annan Foundation

Track Summary (presentation by Alyn Ware)

The Peace and Security track opened on February 15 and runs until Feb 28. 300 people have registered for the e-consultation track. We have received 44 proposals so far. These have been sorted into seven intersecting categories:  

1) War prevention and International Law; 2) Disarmament for peace and sustainable development; 3) Peace building/conflict resolution and human security; 4) Human Rights and Peace; 5) Environmental security and governance; 6) Youth/Education/Building a Culture of Peace/Cooperation, trust building and positive peace; and 7) Financing for peace. 

The proposals are uploaded at https://www.unfoldzero.org/proposals-for-the-peace-and-security-theme/.  Over 100 people participated in the online sessions on Feb 16 where the proposals were introduced. We have another online session on Feb 23 to discuss further and consolidate the proposals. 

Key Dates 

E-Consultation: February 15-28

Additional Resources

UN & Global Governance Innovation

Co-Leads

  • Andreas Bummel, Democracy Without Borders 
  • Vesselin Popovski, Jindal Global University
  • Enyseh Teimory, UNA UK

Track Summary: Consultations for the UN & Global Governance Innovation track are scheduled to start February 22

Key Dates 

  • E-Consultation: February 22 – March 8

Additional Resources