The United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “are not mere benchmarks”, said His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah during the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.
The monarch said the MDGs and SDGs are also beacons of hope for a better tomorrow. “Therefore, the Summit of the Future reinforces the commitment that no one is left behind, firmly anchored in the values that define our shared humanity.”
His Majesty highlighted that over eighty years ago the UN emerged from a world torn apart by conflict, embodying the collective aspiration for a future forged on unity rather than division. His Majesty emphasised that the UN has navigated the rise and fall of empires, as well as the impact of natural disasters and pandemics.
“However, amid these difficulties, the UN’s core humanitarian principles have remained as our guidance in confronting new and emerging global challenges,” said the monarch.
His Majesty also said, “In this interconnected world, the digital divide threatens to deepen disparities between nations and within societies. Nevertheless, only through global peace can humankind strive to achieve remarkable advancements in technology, medicine and infrastructure.”
His Majesty said maintaining global peace ensures that “we continue striving for partnerships that facilitate fair and inclusive technological progress for all nations”.
His Majesty also said that as a member of the UN and ASEAN for the past four decades Brunei Darussalam has embraced its global role by advocating multilateralism and rules-based international order to preserve peace, security and stability in the Southeast Asian region and beyond.
“The current international peace landscape is at a critical juncture, with persistent conflicts and diplomatic impasses testing the resilience of global cooperation,” said His Majesty.
“The Summit of the Future has reaffirmed commitment to uphold the UN Charter and international law without prejudice or discrimination to unite our nations strongly. To this end, together, this collective vision can be transformed into a vibrant reality for the present and for generations to come, which is our ‘Pact for the Future’.”
On Sunday, His Majesty was at the Summit of the Future at the 79th Session of the United
Nations General Assembly. Accompanying His Majesty was Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah.
Earlier, in showcasing global solidarity for current and future generations, the ‘Pact for the Future’ outcome document was adopted during the opening segment of the Summit of the Future. In addition, the ‘Global Digital Compact’ and ‘Declaration on Future Generations’ documents were also adopted.