The 2030 agenda, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, seeks to transform our world, encompassing 17 sustainable development goals addressing crucial issues with the aim of "leaving no one behind." This reminds me of when my friends say they will wait for everyone to start walking, but then they just proceed without me—maybe because I am a slow walker (not anymore). Concluding my participation as a delegate of the Baha’i International Community at the Commission, I sense that this is the same situation a lot of historically disadvantaged countries are facing, with amplified repercussions. Despite being pioneers of new approaches and offering profound sources of insight, many nations are left without adequate support, while others with disproportionate access to wealth and resources continue to advance, widening the gap further. Considering the notion of leaving no one behind and advancing the SDG goals, our collective trajectory feels bleak, with tenuous progress. So, where is our world in meeting these goals? The answer: very far off and definitely not a walkable distance for a typical New Yorker. This short reflection will encapsulate some of the main takeaways and personal insights from the events that I have participated in and conclude on the outlook for the World Social Summit, and the path ahead. 

Every space that I have participated in has been wonderful, as each has shared a great deal of information that is of help in educating us about what the problem is at hand, and why there mustn't be such problems. What seems to be erroneous, however, is that these conversations can move along with little focus on the most essential part of it all—humans. These discussions cannot just be about naming the problem, they need to start examining how humans are affected as well as the exacerbating conditions that people are forced to be in. Another thing that this sort of discussion needs to shed is its love for talking solely about one avenue of solution—GDP; this renders the conversation about economy and money, alone, and takes away the focus from the people. Yes, I will not disagree that GDP has some degree of the solution. We have to acknowledge the role of financing in many of these situations, which remains a challenge. Many states, for instance, often inadequately invest in social protection programs or do not allocate enough through budget planning and so on.  But GDP is not the only solution. There cannot be such an overreliance on this economic tool to inform policies, because the outcome will lack consideration given to social conditions or imminent threats such as climate change. 

The issues raised at this year’s commission highlight significant intersectionality, where actions in one area impact others. It is also vital to understand that each issue takes on a multifaceted nature at its roots, urging solutions that stem out of the mundane. Exemplifying this sort of nature is the topic of poverty—its multidimensional roots are exacerbated by existing global challenges, and the need for action has never been louder. There is much talk about policies and their effectiveness, but the progress of implementation remains the big question. “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it,” according to Albert Einstein. There can be no progress if there is a reliance only on economic tools to shape social policies, no progress when there is hesitation to tax the wealthy cohort of society, and most certainly no progress when there is a striking lack of political will within an organization that has yet to unleash its capabilities in such perilous times. Shaped by this idea, the remainder of my reflection will turn to the World Social Summit, and Summit of the Future, and provide insights into the work of the United Nations and the path forward. 

I write with strong hope but also a bit of impending disappointment when speaking about the World Social Summit 2025 and Summit of the Future. I say this because I often worry that these summits and conferences become an opportunity for recycling statements that were made at the beginning of the Commission without fostering genuine collaboration. What results? Dominant perspectives permeate the space without room for new ones to come to fruition, a real threat of an “us versus them” attitude surfaces, and most importantly, a failure to understand the oneness of humankind persists—the potential that stands, were governments to truly collaborate with strong political will and a genuine desire for true transformation and progress, seems out of reach. I am hopeful, however, that with the participation of civil society in these summits, a middle ground can be achieved, and the desired results from these conferences can be achieved. 

Concerning the work of the UN, reinvigorated mechanisms are needed urgently, and like before, any reliance on old frameworks that fail to reflect the new world we live in will not suffice and is bound to fail. We often hear that trust in institutions is eroding. In order to combat this, enabling transparency within systems and sharing disaggregated data will kick-start the process of rebuilding trust. In addition, real inclusion and participation are needed. This does not mean just having local and relevant organizations at the table to check off the boxes, but listening openly and incorporating their perspectives is crucial. Think of this as a two-way street: organizations at the grassroots level are informing policies and practices that will be of benefit to institutions, and then, when adopted, the benefits will trickle down to the communities.

Lastly, the potential for a partnership between private and public sectors remains large, enhancing understanding through disaggregated data and offering, where appropriate, funding for many initiatives with a long-term plan that will be of benefit to all stakeholders. In terms of the financial frameworks and accountability, there is an urgent need to consolidate successful aspects of the mechanisms and reframe them in a way that is robust and constructive; it should act as a guiding tool in shaping domestic policy that is adaptable to states in various regions but upholding to its core element—mechanisms built for progress and transformation. It is also important to consider the importance of educational institutions and the role they play as well. Are we educating the young generation just to become economic tools and uphold the status quo? So, it is imperative to understand the capability that these institutions hold in having the ability to allow the envisioning of a person’s role in the world and expose them to realities as well as alternatives. 

In conclusion, it is quite difficult to predict what happens next. However, what is possible is envisioning our aspirations, and reflecting on the actions we took to get there. Genuine progress necessitates revisiting the foundations, through fresh perspectives, and examining the problems and solutions. As heard from inside the halls of the UN, “You cannot talk about us, without us.” 

Judy Bissoon is an intern at the Baha’i International Community United Nations Office