BIC NEW YORK — The United Nations recently concluded its landmark Summit of the Future, a gathering called for by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to address pressing global challenges and chart a course toward a more peaceful and sustainable world. This high-level event was preceded by two days of civil society engagement known as “Action Days,” both integral parts of a broader effort to strengthen international cooperation and build consensus on current and emerging global issues.

The contribution of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) to the Action Days, held at the UN headquarters, was substantial and varied. The BIC organized or co-sponsored fourteen official side events, collaborated with numerous government Missions to the UN and UN agencies; BIC representatives presented at or moderated a dozen events held by other organizations.

In all these activities, the BIC focused on the need to place humanity’s interdependence at the heart of global governance systems.

Throughout its participation in the Action Days and related events, the BIC explored a central question: What kind of future does humanity envision for itself, and what steps must we take to bring that future into being? The BIC emphasized that achieving lasting peace requires a fundamental shift in humanity’s consciousness—one that recognizes the essential oneness of the human family.

This recognition of humanity’s shared identity, the BIC suggested, has far-reaching implications for the way humanity approaches global governance and international relations.

Daniel Perell, representative of the BIC New York Office, elaborated on the concept of shared identity at a BIC event, stating: “Humanity’s interdependence requires that historically bounded identities—whether defined by nation, religion, or race—give way to an overarching recognition of our shared humanity as our primary identity. We can ask ourselves ‘What would our policies and systems look like if they truly embraced this interdependence?’”

Mr. Perell further explained how recognizing our shared humanity calls for a reimagining of global governance, grounded in principles such as justice and unity. “A new approach must emerge,” he emphasized, “one where the dignity of every individual can find full expression, and the potential of all people can be realized.”

Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy at the UN, acknowledged the significance of these efforts in his opening remarks at a BIC-hosted forum: “I think there’s no better place to start the Action Days and then the Summit of the Future than here. The people, the organizations, and those who have accompanied you have been so instrumental, so inspirational in moving this process forward.”

Provided below are a few highlights from the BIC delegation’s contributions to discussions and events of the Summit of the Future.

The BIC hosted an event titled “Room for Optimism: A Precondition for Success in Challenging Times,” at the UN Headquarters, bringing together member state representatives, UN officials, and civil society actors to explore the roots and role of optimism in addressing global challenges, while promoting a hopeful view of humanity’s future.

A five-minute film produced in collaboration with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation was screened at the BIC-hosted “Room for Optimism” event. The film features comments from Liliane Nkunzimana, a BIC representative.

The BIC and the “Coalition for the UN We Need” co-hosted an event, titled “Beyond September - After the Summit of the Future,” at the offices of the BIC in New York. The discussion was joined by Paula Narváez Ojeda, Ambassador of Chile to the UN; Mr. Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy; and Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa, CEO of GWL Voices. Mr. Perell (top-left), who served as a moderator at the event, emphasized the role the Summit of the Future can play in strengthening trust in and at the UN.

During that event, the BIC also screened an 8-minute film that it produced, which offered thought-provoking reflections of several youth from Bahá’í communities around the world on the Summit’s potential to foster a new understanding of collective responsibility and a peaceful world.

On the eve of the Summit of the Future, the Global Governance Forum and the Bahá’í International Community co-sponsored an event titled “A Second United Nations Charter: Modernizing the UN for a New Generation.”

Following the event, Bani Dugal (right), BIC Principal Representative to the United Nations, reflected on the significance of the Summit stating: “While great advancements have unquestionably been made over the past decades, the scale and complexity of global challenges is rapidly outpacing the evolution of the systems designed to respond to them. The Summit represents an important opportunity for humanity to advance along the path toward the future it desires.”

The BIC’s contribution to the Summit included a statement titled “In the Vanguard: The Role of Youth in an Ever-Advancing Global Society,” highlighting the vast potential of young people in fostering societal transformation.

The BIC hosted a youth “meet and greet,” inviting young people to share their perspectives on what can be achieved during the Summit and beyond.

A group photo of the participants at the youth event.

At a youth focused event hosted by the BIC, Cecilia Schirmeister from the BIC New York Office, stated, “We heard many encouraging remarks about the importance of empathy in the way we engage with one another, and the need to expand our sense of identity to a wider collective — to see humanity’s well-being as tied to our own.”

During the Action Days, coinciding with the International Day of Peace, the BIC co-hosted a side event to explore the role of the General Assembly in complementing the Security Council’s work. This side event was organized with the Permanent Missions of Portugal, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Liechtenstein, and the UN University Centre for Policy Research. Ms. Nkunzimana (right), who moderated the event, stated: “It is clear that striving toward a durable peace continues to be a key priority for countless people—a peace based not solely on the absence of violence, but on a true flourishing of communities.”

Participants at the side event.

That gathering began with opening remarks from H.E. Philémon Yang, President of the 79th session of the General Assembly: “Peace is not only of central importance to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it stands at the very heart of the United Nations itself.

“The advancement of peace is the cornerstone of the theme I have chosen for this 79th session of the General Assembly. Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone, everywhere.”

Among the BIC’s contributions to the Summit was the release of a statement titled “Embracing Interdependence: Foundations for a World in Transition,” which highlights the imperative for the international community to place humanity’s interdependence at the heart of the systems of global governance.