Where you will now find equality at the 79th UN General Assembly and the Summit of the Future

What is the UN General Assembly?

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the principal policy-making body of the United Nations. It consists of all Member States and provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion on the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. The Assembly meets in regular sessions from September to December each year, and thereafter as necessary. It discusses specific issues through special agenda items or sub-items, leading to the adoption of resolutions.

This year, in parallel with the UN General Assembly, states and civil society will participate in the Summit of the Future, a high-level event that will bring together world leaders “to forge a new international consensus on how to realize a better present and secure the future.” World leaders will gather at the United Nations to adopt the Pact for the Future, which will include a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations as annexes.

Where will Equality Now stand in this day and age?

While many of the events at UNGA are reserved for registered participants, there are some parallel events that are free and open to the public. Equality Now will join UNGA and the Summit of the Future for several events.

Below you will find the events that Equality Now will be involved in.

Strategic discussion space for civil society of the GDC

Thursday, September 19, 2024, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time)

A moment for civil society organisations to critically discuss the final text of the Global Digital Compact and engage in a strategic discussion on its implementation and follow-up mechanisms.

A near future without child marriages

Friday, September 20, 2024, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

In this spirit of reflection and forward movement, this side event will bring together key stakeholders to celebrate a decade of progress in advancing the agenda to end child marriage. It will also serve as a platform to share ideas and outline next steps for the Accelerator Roadmap to 2030, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen collective efforts to end child marriage at the global, regional and country levels.

Representation Matters: More Women in Power – More Power for Women

Monday, September 23, 2024, 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

Cherie Blair, Equality Now Advisory Board Member and Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, will join other women leaders from around the world for a fact-based discussion on the importance and impact of women’s political representation. Additionally, Women Political Leaders (WPL) will launch the latest edition of their flagship report.

Women’s leadership in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss

Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

Equality Now’s Mona Sinha and Sandra Ramírez will join us for a morning of discussions and educational panels on women’s leadership in tackling climate change, sustainability in fashion, the critical role of indigenous women in environmental protection, the impact of climate change on violence levels, women’s safety and more.

440 West 14 Street NY, NY 10018 – Register here

UN Global Compact Leaders Summit

Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time)

During the week of the UN General Assembly high-level meeting and alongside the 2024 Summit of the Future, this year’s UN Global Compact Leaders Summit will once again bring together business leaders, UN officials, government leaders, SDG stakeholders and civil society professionals from around the world who are committed to raising the bar on sustainability. The 2024 Leaders Summit will provide global sustainability leaders with the tools, networks, knowledge and inspiration needed to scale the impact of private sector contributions to the 2030 Agenda. In the spirit of continuous improvement and increasing the collective impact of business on the SDGs, the UN Global Compact will challenge the private sector to commit to the ambitious Forward Faster goals and guide businesses to make year-on-year progress towards their goals. Mona Sinha will participate on behalf of Equality Now.

Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Mona Sinha, Executive Director of Equality Now Global, will speak at the closing session of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting. Timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly, CGI brings together leaders from business, government and civil society to advance climate resilience, inclusive economic growth and recovery, health equity, the full participation of women and girls, and humanitarian response efforts to crises around the world.

If you are unable to attend the UNGA and Summit of the Future events in person, please follow our social media channels (LinkedIn, TwitterInstagram and Facebook) or check back here for live updates on all things UNGA. We look forward to two exciting weeks exploring ways to advance equality and empower women and girls globally!