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As General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), I welcome the adoption of the United Nations Pact for the Future with persistent hope and a profound sense of responsibility. This historic agreement embodies a collective commitment to tackle the most urgent challenges of our time—climate change, inequality, peace, and justice. It offers a pathway for the global community to work toward a more just and sustainable future.
At this pivotal moment, the WCC reaffirms its dedication to the values of justice, human rights, peace, and the integrity of creation. The Pact for the Future reflects many concerns long championed by faith communities worldwide. We recognize that the issues at the heart of this Pact—poverty, environmental degradation, armed conflict, and exclusion—require not only political solutions but also moral and spiritual renewal.
The global crises we face today reflect broken relationships: between humanity and creation, and among peoples and nations. Therefore, our response must be rooted in values that transcend short-term self-interest, advocating for the dignity and well-being of all, particularly the most vulnerable, and for future generations of life on Earth. The Pact’s vision of deepening multilateralism and renewed international cooperation to ensure no one is left behind aligns with our belief in a global community governed by mutual care and compassion. Faith communities play a vital role in supporting states and peoples to realize this shared vision. In this regard, I welcome the acknowledgement expressed in the Pact of the need to strengthen partnerships across the whole of society, including with faith-based organizations.
We commend the United Nations for uniting diverse nations around this common vision. However, we urge all governments and stakeholders to move beyond words, to overcome the obstacles that have left so many existing commitments unrealized or inadequately fulfilled, and to commit finally to implementing the Pact’s provisions with urgency and integrity. The Pact must lead to concrete actions that improve lives, protect our environment, and promote peace.
As faith communities, we are prepared to walk alongside the international community on this pilgrimage of justice, peace, reconciliation and unity. Our shared witness must be one of active participation, prayer, and advocacy, amplifying the voices of those most impacted by the climate crisis, economic injustice, human rights violations, and conflict. We remain committed to partnering with all people of goodwill to help build a future that reflects God’s vision for humanity’s wellbeing and the flourishing of all creation.
May this significant moment renew our hope and strengthen our resolve to work together for a world where peace and justice prevail.
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
General secretary
World Council of Churches
