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.

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.

  • WATCH: A message from UNOPS Executive Director, Jorge Moreira da Silva

    "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."

  • Supporting young people build a sustainable future

    Recognized as agents of change, young people are at the frontlines – driving sustainable development and progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

    UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva highlights our commitment to strengthening the participation of youth in all aspects of our work as we build #OurCommonFuture. 

  • Advancing science, technology and innovation

    In Zanzibar, UNOPS is helping upgrade science labs in secondary schools with funding from KOICA.

    Learn how this is helping students like Illham reach their goals.

  • Building resilience amid conflict and insecurity

    In war-torn Yemen, over 3 million people are benefiting from improved access to essential services.

    An urban services project is improving health, living conditions, and building local capacities and economies through job creation.

  • Advancing climate action

    In the fight against climate change, we help bridge the implementation gap – working with our partners to ensure the commitments made to fight the climate emergency translate to strong actions on the ground.

  • Clean energy for a greener future

    Energy is the driving force of our world. It is the power that transforms our homes, our livelihoods and our communities. 

    As we face growing interconnected crises, we are committed to providing practical solutions to support a just transition to low-carbon economies and build a greener future for all.

  • Building resilience after a disaster strikes

    Cyclone Idai was one of the deadliest cyclones to ever hit Africa. It destroyed lives, livelihoods and infrastructure.

    In response, UNOPS and partners supported communities in the immediate aftermath of the disaster – helping build the foundations for long-term resilience and recovery.

  • Resilient crisis recovery

    Since 2017, a wave of violence has impacted livelihoods, destroyed infrastructure and forced people to flee their homes in northern Mozambique.

    With partners, we’re responding to these urgent humanitarian and development needs.

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

Sea level rise: Building resilience through data and community in the Asia Pacific

13:00 - 14:00 | Dag Hammarskjöld Library, UNHQ, New York

Co-curated by UN Global Pulse and the University of New South Wales

This event will provide a forum to share knowledge and experiences from three innovative responses to rising sea levels, identifying opportunities for UN Member States to scale and increase impact.

The event brings together high-level stakeholders from governments, academia and UN teams to explore how we can effectively adapt and respond to rising sea levels – one of the most challenging effects of climate change; and how data-driven approaches and community-based responses can help mitigate at scale.

  • Read the opening remarks by UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva here


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 recording | Read more about the event here

  • Read the opening remarks by UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva here


Harnessing the power of youth to create a malaria-free future: An intergenerational discussion on the role of youth innovation and research in malaria elimination

15:00 - 18:00 | Millenium Hilton Hotel, New York (One UN Plaza)

Hosted by The RBM Partnership to End Malaria (hosted by UNOPS), in collaboration with the African Leaders Malaria Alliance

Malaria is an age-old disease that continues to threaten the future of endemic countries – holding back development and keeping the future generation from achieving their full potential.

This intergenerational discussion will bring together leaders to chart the way towards innovation and research that can bring an end to malaria and deliver a better future. This once in a generation conversation will see young people contribute towards a roadmap to ending malaria by 2030. The discussion will contribute to the Summit’s Pact for the Future, aligning with broader international commitments and ensuring that malaria remains a high-priority issue.

Read more

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)

Watch the recording

  • Read UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva's statement here


Summit of the Future – Plenary Meetings

Afternoon plenary | UN General Assembly Hall

Watch the recording

  • Read UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva's statement here 

Monday, 23 September

Integrating a gender lens in the fight against malaria: A dialogue exploring the power of women’s leadership in malaria eradication

8:00 – 9:30 | Yale Club 50 Vanderbilt Ave, New York

Hosted by The RBM Partnership to End Malaria (hosted by UNOPS) together with WomenLift Health

Malaria remains one of the world’s killer diseases, claiming lives and countries’ progress – especially in areas with limited resources. The impact of malaria is greater among marginalized communities and particularly affects women and children.

Although women play a critical role in healthcare, they are underrepresented, holding just a quarter of leadership positions across the global health space. This session will explore how reimagining leadership, particularly by elevating women in leadership roles, can significantly impact the fight against malaria, especially in the context of climate change, and driving better health outcomes.


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


Localization, innovation and partnerships to end malaria

12:30 – 14:30 | Dolores Huerta Room, Ford Foundation Building, 320 East 43rd Street New York

Hosted by The RBM Partnership to End Malaria (hosted by UNOPS), in collaboration with United Nations Foundation

This event will explore the innovative, cross-sector partnerships to end malaria that integrate the firsthand experiences, voices and expertise of leaders in malaria-endemic communities and countries. 

The conversation will examine how local to global engagement is critical for sustaining investments and driving progress towards a malaria-free world, featuring insights and examples from malaria experts, researchers, private sector leaders and civil society advocates. 

Register here

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

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.


(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

  • Read UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva's remarks here

Wednesday, 25 September

Malaria and anti-microbial resistance: Strengthening responses in a changing global landscape

7:30 – 9:30 | Westin New York Grand Central Hotel, Embassy Room

Hosted by The RBM to End Malaria (hosted by UNOPS), in collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture and Malaria No More

Antimicrobial resistance, including growing malaria parasite resistance to treatments, remains a major challenge of our time. There is a serious concern that resistance to artemisinin-based treatments will proliferate in Africa, the continent with over 90 per cent of malaria cases and deaths.

The implications for malaria morbidity and mortality could be disastrous if this resistance persists. We must act fast and decisively on anti-malarial resistance by combining innovation with intersectional approaches that address issues such as how gender and poverty limit access to proper diagnosis and treatment while fueling resistance.

This session will involve an insightful discussion on ensuring malaria is not left behind in conversations and decisions around anti-microbial resistance.


(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

Watch the recording

Supporting youth and future generations

We are committed to strengthening the participation of youth, and work to advance the rights of all young persons, especially those most vulnerable, through sustainable and inclusive infrastructure and procurement.