Director Francesco Lapenta Speaks at UN Conference in Brussels
JCU Institute of Future and Innovation Studies Director Francesco Lapenta was recently invited to speak at a follow-up expert meeting of the UN Summit of the Future, focused on governance, digital frameworks, and sustainable development. The event was organized by the UN in collaboration with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, with the financial support of the European Parliament.
The three-hour conference, held at the Brussels UN House, represented a critical moment of reflection and forward-planning, drawing together top officials, diplomats, researchers, and policy experts from around the world to analyze the recently adopted Pact for the Future and its potential for addressing complex global challenges.
The conference assembled an exceptional group of thought leaders, including:
Michèle Griffin: Director of the Summit of the Future/Common Agenda Team from the UN Executive Office of the Secretary-General (participating online);
Stella Ronner: Deputy Managing Director of Global Agenda and Multilateral Relations at the European External Action Service;
Maria João Rodrigues: President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies;
Bodo Ellmers: Director of the Financing for Sustainable Development Program at Global Policy Forum;
Álvaro Diaz Duque: Deputy Director for Multilateral and European Development Policies from Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
Nudhara Yusuf: Research Associate at the Stimson Center and Global Youth Coordinator;
Giulia Tariello: EU Youth Delegate to the UN for the 79th General Assembly Session;
Sandrine Dixson-Declève: Co-president of the Club of Rome;
Sylvester Mundanda: Ambassador of Zambia to the BENELUX;
Junior Lodge: Assistant Secretary-General for Structural Economic Transformation and Trade at the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States;
Giovanni Mastrogiacomo: Acting Head of Unit for Sustainable Development Policy at the European Commission;
Jo Leinen: German Politician and FEPS Senior Fellow.
The conference explored four critical domains of global governance and cooperation. The discussions on sustainable development and financing were focused on addressing financial barriers to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and prepare for the upcoming 4th Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain. The panel “Youth and Future Generations” was dedicated to strengthening young people’s role in multilateralism and ensure intergenerational dialogue.
Science, technology, and digital cooperation emerged as a crucial theme, with participants diving deep into implementing the Global Digital Compact and prioritizing ethical digital governance. The transforming global governance session examined strategies for promoting SDGs across diverse contexts and enhancing international collaboration mechanisms.
Global Digital Compact: A Nuanced Perspective
Participants critically examined the Global Digital Compact, acknowledging its potential for creating a human-centric digital future, while also identifying challenges in implementation, particularly around binding mechanisms, data privacy, and AI ethics guidelines.
Francesco Lapenta provided insights into the Global Digital Compact and examined its potential and current limitations. The presentation explored the Compact’s approach to digital governance, which seeks to establish a global framework for AI regulation, address digital divides, and promote international collaboration on technological development. Lapenta highlighted the document’s key objectives, including fostering responsible AI use and safeguarding human rights, while also discussing the challenges in implementation. The analysis focused on the Compact’s current structure, noting areas that may require further development, such as mechanisms for enforcement, comprehensive guidelines, and support for global digital infrastructure. His presentation contributed to the ongoing dialogue about balancing technological innovation with ethical considerations and global cooperation.
A key theme was the European Union’s potential leadership in ethical AI development, global digital rights frameworks, and multistakeholder digital governance approaches. The conference positioned the EU as a critical bridge between technological innovation and humanitarian principles.
The debriefing served as a crucial preparatory platform for upcoming international conferences in 2025, including the Conference on Financing for Development and the World Social Summit, ensuring continued momentum in global cooperative efforts.
