International Human Rights Observer Participates in Digital Rights and Peace Efforts at UN Summit of the Future

At the UN Summit of the Future, held on September 22, 2024, the International Human Rights Observer (IHRO) played a key role in advancing global commitments to human rights, digital inclusion, and peace-building efforts. The Summit marked the adoption of the “Pact for the Future,” a groundbreaking international agreement that aims to reshape multilateralism, with an emphasis on digital cooperation, sustainable development, and international peace and security.

The IHRO, a leading NGO for human rights in Pakistan and globally, actively contributed to discussions surrounding the “Global Digital Compact”—a core element of the Pact—which addresses human rights in the digital sphere and aims to bridge global digital disparities. The Compact emphasizes the importance of equitable access to technology, ethical use of artificial intelligence, and the promotion of digital public goods. IHRO highlighted the need for stronger accountability for tech companies to combat disinformation, online harassment, and digital inequality, ensuring that marginalized communities benefit from technological advancements.

The representatives of IHRO also underscored the importance of protecting civilians in conflict zones, a commitment enshrined in the Pact. The IHRO called for increased accountability for war crimes, particularly in the context of gender-based violence and the use of starvation as a weapon. It supported the Pact’s pledge to scale up humanitarian assistance, particularly through innovative financing mechanisms designed to mitigate famine and provide timely aid to conflict-affected regions.

IHRO’s participation in the Summit reflected its broader advocacy for inclusive global governance and sustainable peace. In addition to promoting the rights of future generations, the organization supported the Pact’s commitments to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on closing the financing gap and promoting climate action.

By engaging at the forefront of discussions on digital governance and international peace efforts, IHRO’s contributions will have a lasting impact on shaping a more just and inclusive global future.