Bringing the Summit of the Future to Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam: engaging stakeholders for a shared future

In 2024, the UN Resident Coordinator's Multi-Country Office played a crucial role in connecting governments and society—especially youth—in Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam to global consultations leading up to the Summit of the Future (SOTF). Through strategic briefings, interactive dialogues, and multi-sectoral discussions, the UN ensured local voices shaped global agreements, including the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations.

On 30 May 2024, the UN in Malaysia partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage government and civil society representatives in consultations on the SOTF process and draft outcome documents. Government officials from 20 ministries explored key components of the Pact, while civil society organizations, NGOs, and academics provided critical feedback. A dedicated text-based mechanism enabled inclusive participation in shaping Malaysia's contributions to the Summit.

Recognizing youth as key drivers of change, the UN hosted several youth-focused dialogues. A virtual town hall on 4 September 2024, co-hosted with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, engaged 250 young participants, fostering discussions on their role in advancing sustainability and peace. Earlier, the Brunei Mampan Forum (26-27 July 2024) provided another platform for young leaders to explore multilateralism.

Additionally, on 4 July 2024, the UN and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for Asia and the Pacific convened a high-level discussion featuring Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, engaging 300 policymakers, academics, and civil society leaders on the Pact's transformative potential.

By fostering inclusive dialogue across sectors, the UN in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei led efforts to localize the Pact for the Future, ensuring a shared vision for a peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future.

Through high-level, multi-stakeholder dialogue the UN amplified Malaysia and Brunei’s voices in the summit of the future, ensuring broad participation and advancing national engagement in shaping global sustainability and governance frameworks.