Ahead of Summit of the Future 2024 in New York: Stakeholders make pertinent resolution to amplify Cameroon’s voice.

It was under the theme: “Multilateral solution for a better future”. The two-day preparatory gathering was held from September 12 to 13. It was organised by the Ministry of External Relations, MINREX, and initiated by not-to-profit organisation, Plan International. 

The national consultation brought together some members of government, UN agencies, representative of diplomatic corps, representatives of international organisations, Members of Parliament, the President of the Cameroon National Youth Council, representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, and Civil Society Organisations, CSOs. 

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the representative of the Minister of External Relations, Christian Puth, who is Acting Director of United Nations and Decentralised Cooperation, explained that the meeting was aimed at preparing Cameroon’s participation at the upcoming Summit of the Future. 

According to Puth, the rich and fruitful exchanges led to the acquisition of concrete commendable solutions to amplify the country’s voice at the summit. 

The laudable ideas, he said, was thanks to the commitment of participants. The MINREX representative expressed optimism that the proposals will contribute to the better representation of Cameroon during the summit. 

Enter UNESCO Director for Central Africa

Speaking earlier, the Interim Resident Coordinator of the UN System to Cameroon, Paul Coustere, saluted the excellent cooperation with the Central African country. 

At the end of these two days of dialogue, he said, they have been able to make significant progress on key issues which will help improve the contribution of Cameroon. 

The Interim UN System Resident Coordinator added that the resolutions from the forum will contribute to what he considered as a decent participation of Cameroon at the summit. 

He also added that the innovative solutions will reinforce Cameroon’s stance during the summit 

“This national consultation has offered meaningful and constructive platform for Cameroon’s engagement and contribution to the deliberations ahead of the Future Summit in New York,” Coustere said.

Coustere added that: “I am convinced that the pact of the future will be followed by concrete actions to fully accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal and the commitment to attain a peaceful and sustainable climate”.  

Zoom on recommendations 

The resolutions arrived at during the national consultation were grouped under the Summit's four interactive dialogues. 

With regards to the first interactive dialogue, “Transforming global governance and accelerating implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to 2030”, participants agreed to amongst other issues, to reiterate the crucial role of inclusive multilateralism and diplomacy in the service of international peace and security and put youth, women, and vulnerable people at the centre. 

They also agreed to advocate more flexible procedures and mechanisms for financing, and increased funding for climate change adaptation as well as advocate the reduction of global inequalities and the effectiveness of global solidarity in the fight against poverty.

Under the second interactive dialogue on: “Strengthening multilateralism for international peace and security”, stakeholders agreed to advocate increased international assistance for the implementation of conventions on human rights, promotion of peace and security. 

They also mentioned strengthening conflict prevention activities and mechanisms and to involve young people in the formulation of public policies, and in the programming and management of short, medium, and long-term development projects. 

As for the third dialogue titled: “Towards a shared digital future: strengthening inclusive innovation and cooperation to bridge digital divides”, the stakeholders agreed to work towards the elaboration of a national strategy for the development of the emerging technologies sector, accelerate the training of young people and increase, through international partnerships, and mobilize the private sector and public-private partnerships to invest in digital infrastructure. 

In the last dialogue, titled: “The future begins now: improving the global system for present and future generations”, stakeholders agreed to promote the preservation of the cultural heritage, and preserve and enhance the role of traditional leaders and traditional practices. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3234 of Thursday September 19, 2024