As it nears its 80th anniversary, the United Nations adopted the Pact for the Future, which outlines various reforms for the institution. Faith-based actors and representatives from UN entities addressed various issues of significance in 2025 from the Pact at the 11th Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-based Organizations in International Affairs. Held on 3 April 2025, the half-day hybrid symposium brought together speakers in person and online to discuss “The Future Is Upon Us: What Now? Amplifying the Role of Faith and Civil Society Actors in Multilateral Solutions”

As the Concept Note introduces, “Faith-based partners initiated [this] symposium… as an annual event aiming to foster dialogue on the intricate interplay between religion and international affairs. Since 2016, the founding faith-based organizations established a strong partnership with the UN Interagency Task Force (IATF) on Religion and Sustainable Development, creating an annual policy dialogue involving UN entities, member states, faith-based actors and civil society to address pressing global challenges.” 

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, opened the High Level Welcome by stating that at the heart of multilateralism is equality and nondiscrimination. The symposium, she said, serves as a space to “get divine courage together,” and that our times call for us to be more courageous now more than ever before. 

The symposium presented a total of four panels, covering  inclusive global governance, peacebuilding and digital governance of AI. The panel on “Revitalizing commitments to the Beijing Platform for Action” linked the topics of gender equality and peace, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 25th anniversary of the Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. As one of four panelists, Ivy Koek of SGI shared that in order for the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda to be more effective, more people need to be able to relate to it. To accomplish this, Koek proposed that the WPS agenda be implemented together with the General Assembly Resolution on the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which is an actionable agenda that anyone can readily apply in their daily life.

Other speakers also offered their views. Leyla Sharafi, Chief of Gender, Human Rights and Inclusion for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), pointed out that the UN is the only body in the world with its level of credibility and convening power. Nkechika Ibe, Founder of the Impact Her World Foundation and Chair of the Women in Security Peace and Diplomacy Network (WISPAD) in Nigeria,  stressed the importance of local solutions to conflicts. Anas Badawi, Coordinator of the Tawleh Initiative in Syria, emphasized the need to recognize, integrate and sustainably support young people, who are crucial drivers of peace and equality and deeply connected to their communities.

This year’s symposium generated a high level of interest, with over 1,400 registrants from 71 countries. Sponsoring organizations included ACT Alliance, the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church, Islamic Relief, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Soka Gakkai International, United Religions Initiative, World Council of Churches, the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect.