The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Summit of the Future
As the world comes together for the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, this year’s Summit of the Future marks a crucial opportunity for the international community to deliver on the promise of creating a brighter future – for people and the planet.
"We owe it to the present and future generations, to act collectively, responsibly and decisively. To deliver peace and prosperity, for people and the planet."
Our world is facing a growing number of crises. Violent conflicts are on the rise. Many countries are drowning in debt. Stark inequalities persist. People are suffering from poverty, displacement, and hunger. And communities in every corner of the globe are feeling the far-reaching impacts of climate change.
Yet, amid these challenges, there is also hope and immense opportunity to deliver on the promise of a more peaceful, prosperous and fairer future for all.
Bold, collective action is essential. By uniting our efforts, we can tackle the challenges of today and shape the future we aspire to create.
UNOPS is committed to being part of the solution – to drive action and build a world where people can thrive and reach their full potential.
As global leaders gather at the 79th UN General Assembly and Summit of the Future, UNOPS stands ready to join the international community to bridge divides and forge a path towards a brighter future.
Through our focus on implementation and providing practical solutions where needs are greatest, UNOPS is committed to helping get the Sustainable Development Goals back-on-track, and translating the commitments of the Paris Agreement into robust climate action.
Together, we can lay the foundations for peace, prosperity and equality. But we need to act decisively, and now.
Explore our activities
Expand the sections below for more details on UNOPS participation in key events at the UNGA, Summit of the Future, and New York Climate Week.
Friday, 20 September
(Side event) Grassroots solutions: Transforming peacebuilding through social movement
13:00 - 14:30 (TBC) | UNOPS New York Office
Hosted by ActionAid Denmark
UNOPS Project Management Advisor (Peace & Security Cluster) Kelly McAulay will join the panel discussions.
Summit of the Future Action Days (Side event): Multi-stakeholder partnerships in education and Assistive Technology: Transforming education and employment opportunities for children and young people with disabilities
UNHQ, Conference room 3 | 15:00 – 16:15
Hosted by ATscale Global Partnerships
Watch the Live stream | Read more about the event here
Opening remarks by UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva
Sunday, 22 September
Summit of the Future Action Days
Interactive Dialogue 1: Transforming global governance and turbocharging the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
10:00 - 13:00 | Trusteeship Council Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York
(Official Summit of the Future programme)
Address by UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva
Summit of the Future – Plenary Meetings
Afternoon plenary | UN General Assembly Hall
Address by UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva
Monday, 23 September
Closing the time gap: Accelerating AI for environmental permitting in green energy projects
10:00 - 10:55 | Sustainability Summit NYC, 50 Hudson Yards (32nd Floor)
Hosted by the government of Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and cBrain
UNOPS Director of Global Portfolios and Director of Partnerships, Émilie Potvin, will join the panel discussions
Tuesday, 24 September
(Side event) UN 2.0: How Businesses Can Collaborate with the UN
8:00 - 9:30 | Tavern on the Green, Central Park, New York
Hosted by Goals House and Salesforce
This roundtable will explore how businesses can collaborate with the UN. From leveraging digital transformation to fostering expertise in data and behavioural science, the discussion will explore how businesses can lead the charge and set ambitious yet achievable goals in alignment with UN 2.0.
UNOPS Director of Global Portfolios and Director of Partnerships, Émilie Potvin, will join the roundtable discussions.
(Climate Week NYC) The disruptive year: thwarting climate change with innovation-at-scale
9:05 - 9:35 | The Glasshouse
Organized by the Climate Group for Climate Week NYC
Watch the Live stream (registration required)
If we are to continue pushing the frontier on climate action, we must go where we haven’t been. We will need an innovative approach to our leadership, our policy and our partnerships, particularly in the world’s most climate fragile and conflict-affected states.
Panelists will be asked for their expert opinion on the future of implementation for climate action, including: how we can begin embodying a ‘blue sky thinking’ approach to the actions required to support robust climate action; and what ‘doing things differently’ means for the climate community in reality.
- UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva will join the panel discussions.
(High-level roundtable) Advancing political commitments on climate and health financing: Where is the Global South voice?
17:00 - 18:30 | Cure., New York
Hosted by the Africa Europe Foundation in partnership with Amref Health Africa and the Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance
Read more about this event here
UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva will join the panel discussions.
Wednesday, 25 September
(Side event): Retrofitting for sustainable cities
8:00 - 9:30 | Tavern on the Green, Central Park, New York
Hosted by Goals house and Rockwool
This high-level gathering will bring together leaders from across sectors to tackle the pressing challenge of creating cities that are both sustainable and equitable, harnessing the power of retrofits for climate action and reducing inequalities.
UNOPS Director of Global Portfolios and Director of Partnerships, Émilie Potvin, will join the roundtable discussions.
Thursday, 26 September
(Side event): Missing peace: How sustainable development can foster lasting peace
10:00 - 12:00 | Tavern on the Green, Central Park, New York
Hosted by Goals House and UNOPS
From Ukraine to Gaza and Sudan to Mozambique, violent conflict is rife and having far-reaching impacts across the world.
Beyond the immense human suffering caused by conflict, war reverses progress on human development and creates challenges that are often felt most by already vulnerable populations. From food insecurity and disease to environmental damage and inequality, conflict undermines the foundations of a just and prosperous society.
During this session, panelists will explore how sustainable development can offer the necessary foundations for lasting peace. The discussion will focus on the critical steps of responding, recovering, and rebuilding from conflict, with the aim of developing long-term sustainable solutions for communities around the world.
Panelists will also explore the collective role of business, government, media and society pushing for peace across the globe, and how, together, we can maintain a spotlight on ongoing tragedies so that no conflict or crisis goes forgotten.
- UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva will deliver opening remarks and join the panel discussions.
