The Nairobi Conference, held on May 9-10, 2024, served as a pivotal platform for civil society organizations, UN officials, and other stakeholders to engage in preliminary discussions ahead of the Summit of the Future. Over 2,000 civil society representatives, member state officials, media, and volunteers from 115 countries participated, with a significant representation from Africa, women, and youth. The conference featured 62 off-site and online events, 38 onsite workshops, over 20 Impact Coalitions (ICs) meetings, 64 exhibits, and four plenary sessions, each reaching full capacity. The International Council for Adult Education (ICAE), represented by Katarina Popović, was an active participant, contributing to the vibrant and impactful dialogues.
The conference focused on analyzing the five chapters of the “Pact for the Future” and its annexes, including sustainable development, peace and security, science and technology, youth and future generations, and global governance transformation. Participants engaged in intergenerational dialogue, forming ICs to address various critical issues such as science-policy interface, AI governance, and future generations. Despite the promising formation of ICs, concerns were raised about their transparency, sustainability, and the risk of undermining existing civil society mechanisms such as the Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS). Participants emphasized the need to strengthen these mechanisms, ensure meaningful participation, and resist corporate capture in UN processes to uphold principles of inclusivity and human rights. The conference outcomes, including a Co-Chair’s Summary and IC work plans, will be presented in New York on May 30, shaping the ongoing dialogue for the Summit of the Future.
