On 21 September 2024, MGoS Co-chair Oli Henman delivered a powerful opening statement at Action Day 2, setting the stage for the Summit of the Future. Speaking to a global audience, Henman emphasized the essential role of the Major Groups & Other Stakeholders (MGoS) Coordination Mechanism, which unites 21 constituencies across diverse stakeholder groups to advance the 2030 Agenda.
In his address, Henman underscored the importance of meaningful inclusion in all UN processes, asserting that MGoS must have a voice in shaping our collective future. Henman expressed gratitude for the ongoing dialogue with member states and the UN, while raising concerns over potential barriers to civil society accreditation, stressing that collaboration, not exclusion, must guide the path forward.
Henman’s key insights included a call for a democratic, rights-based multilateral system and the reinforcement of human rights protections, particularly for vulnerable groups. He highlighted the need for robust financing to achieve the SDGs, structural reforms in international finance, and an urgent commitment to addressing climate change without new fossil fuel expansion.
Henman concluded with a plea for action, citing the responsibility to future generations: “The future is in all of our hands. We have it in our collective power to re-shape the world now, for our children and their children.”
