Following the invitation from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President, International Cooperation, NGYouthSDGs was represented by Godwin Lasisi, a Youth Activators Lab Associate, at the UNGA ’79 High-Level Technical Meeting on the “Summit of the Future,” which brought together experts, stakeholders, and policymakers to discuss Nigeria’s role in shaping the global future. The summit provided a unique platform to reflect on critical areas like global governance, climate change, peace and security, sustainable development, and digital innovation, all geared towards positioning Nigeria for long-term prosperity within the global space.
Throughout the meeting, Godwin actively contributed to the discussions in three key sessions—Youth, Peace, and Security; Climate Change and Sustainability; and Digital Transformation & Innovation—drawing from my background in public health, sustainable development, and youth advocacy.
Overview of Sessions
Session One: Global Governance and Multilateralism
Lead: Dapo Oyewole (Senior Special Assistant to the President, International Cooperation)
The first session focused on how Nigeria can leverage its international standing to promote multilateralism and strengthen its position in global governance. Experts discussed how Nigeria’s development strategy aligns with international frameworks and how the country can play a more prominent role in global decision-making processes.
Participants explored the challenges posed by global power dynamics and how Nigeria can ensure its voice is heard on issues ranging from climate policy to security frameworks. The importance of strong diplomatic relationships and multilateral cooperation was underscored as key drivers for sustainable development.
Session Two: Youth, Peace, and Security
Lead: Chimdi Neliaku, Esq. (Chair, Governance, Peace, and Security Thematic Working Group, African Union Youth Reference Committee)
This session addressed the critical role young people play in building and maintaining peace and security, both locally and globally. The panel focused on engaging youth in conflict resolution, governance, and peace-building efforts, with special emphasis on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security.
During the session, I highlighted the importance of youth participation in peace initiatives, drawing from my work on interfaith dialogue and youth engagement. I emphasised the need for programs that empower young people to lead in areas of conflict resolution and security, particularly in regions prone to interfaith tensions. My intervention focused on youth as peace agents, capable of fostering social cohesion and preventing violence in vulnerable communities.
Session Three: Climate Change and Sustainability
Lead: Eugene Itua, PhD (CEO, Natural Eco Capital)
The third session examined the global climate crisis and how Nigeria can take concrete actions towards sustainability and resilience. Experts discussed Nigeria’s National Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and reviewed strategies to enhance climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Godwin Lasisi contributed to the discussions by sharing insights on the importance of engaging youth in climate action and sustainability programs, highlighting the 2024 Climate Voices Bootcamp and the ongoing Empowering Youth Civil Society to Build Stronger Communities in Nigeria project supported by the German Missions in Nigeria. Godwin also referenced his experience being a consultant and delegate at the LT – LEDS Validation workshop hosted by NCCC and the Launch of Nigeria’s NDC in June and also a tree-planting initiative under Project IASAP, highlighting how grassroots environmental activism can be scaled to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s overall climate goals.
Godwin also stressed the need for policy frameworks that support youth-driven climate projects and the critical role of education in fostering eco-literacy among young people.
Session Four: Global Financing and Development
Lead: Serah Makka (Executive Director, ONE, Africa)
This session explored global financial systems and their implications for Nigeria’s development. Discussions revolved around how Nigeria can access international financing for key health, education, and infrastructure sectors, particularly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The participants emphasized the need for innovative financing mechanisms, including public private partnerships and international cooperation, to mobilize resources for development. The challenges in securing long-term sustainable funding for large-scale projects were also discussed, with participants suggesting ways to increase Nigeria’s attractiveness to foreign investors.
Session Five: Digital Transformation and Innovation
L –R; Ure Utah, Lasisi Godwin (YAL Associate), Rose Keffas (OSSAPS -SDGS)
Lead: Ure Utah (Technical Advisor to the Minister of Innovation, Science & Technology on DFIs and International Partnerships)
The final session of the meeting addressed the role of digital technologies in transforming various sectors, including healthcare, education, and governance. The panel discussed Nigeria’s potential to harness digital innovation to improve service delivery, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
In this session, Godwin shared his views on how digital transformation can drive improvements in healthcare and improve literacy among marginalised groups in rural communities, referencing the recommendations he submitted to UNDPForYouth during the 6-Day Informal Consultation from 3rd – 9th September on the vision for a safe, inclusive, and sustainable digital future.
Conclusion
The UNGA ’79 Summit of the Future Technical Working Group Meeting provided a platform for engaging in discussions on critical issues ranging from governance to climate change and digital transformation. Each session reinforced the idea that Nigeria must proactively position itself for a prosperous future through global cooperation, sustainable policies, and youth engagement.
As a Youth Activators Lab Associate, Godwin’s contributions to the sessions on Youth, Peace, and Security; Climate Change and Sustainability; and Digital Transformation and Innovation exemplify the efforts of NGYouthSDGs youth-driven initiatives in equipping youth people through programs and policies that support Nigeria development agenda for its youth population. The discussions during this event laid the groundwork for a collective Nigerian strategy aligned with global priorities and the recommendations of the UN Summit of the Future.
The Youth Activators Lab programme is part of the Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) Initiative, designed for young leaders interested in using systems thinking as a leadership tool to address developmental issues in communities across Nigeria.
