“We hope that what Wales is doing today the world will do tomorrow. Action, more than words, is the hope for our current and future generations.”  Nikhil Seth, Head of Sustainable Development, United Nations

Speaking at the High-level Political Forum on sustainable development in New York, Friday, 13 July 2018,   Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales will endorse a resolution for a UN Global Guardians for Future Generations programme.

The proposal would result in the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales playing a key role in sharing learning from the Welsh approach following the passing of the internationally acclaimed Well-being of Future Generations Act.

Proposed by the Group of Friends of Future Generations, the Global Guardians would give a voice for future generations across the world. Placing the concept of intergenerational equity at the heart of policy making and systems, the Global Guardian will represent will advocate and represent future generations are in international agreements and UN resolutions.

Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales said:

“We have heard much about how important this is to the 2030 agenda, and how important it is in our current global context to strive for the eradication of poverty and achieve better equality. But what about our future generations?

“Too often, less weight is given to the worth of future generations, simply because they do not have political or economic influence, yet it is future generations who will be paying for the decisions today.

“What is unique about the Welsh approach we have now made it a legal obligation for public bodies to ensure they are considering their impacts on future generations and we are still the only country to do so.

“The innovative nature of the Global Guardians for Future Generations will offer an opportunity for my office to play an important role in complementing existing efforts to make the UN Development System more inclusive, impactful and coherent.”