As multiple global challenges accelerate the threats to human survival and existence; the InterAction Council convened a virtual meeting of its Existential Security Threats - EXIST Board. The discussion highlighted the risks of trade wars, the weakening of democracies and the rule of law, the fragmentation of the UN and multilateral co-operation, a reversal of climate commitments with the further exploitation of fossil fuels, combined with the deregulation of emerging technology and the rapid spread of misinformation.
This intergenerational initiative was co-chaired by Bertie Ahern, former Prime Minister of Ireland, and Ella Robertson Mckay, Managing Director for One Young World, who together established the creation of the Global Youth Security Council for Existential Threats. Support for young leaders was encouraged, along with the further engagement of youth leadership organisations:
Priorities for the securing the survival of humanity were outlined, including preventing runaway climate change, as 2024 saw the breaking of safe limits of 1.5 C, along with raging wildfires, floods and warming oceans – all symptoms of climate related breakdown. A call was made to support and strengthen the World Health Organization to protect the world from further pandemics. The importance of governance and controls for emerging technologies, including the weaponisation of technologies, and from the non-intentional release of synthetic laboratory created pandemics, was raised.
Uncontrolled conflicts with the illegal expansion of territories creates further divisions to global co-operation and draws energy away from larger threats to humanity, while increasing risks from nuclear catastrophe. Addressing the root causes of insecurity, and strengthening community and human security, was emphasised as a pathway to peace. Furthermore, planetary peace, was shared as a transformative concept to create a flourishing and sustainable world for all.
This initiative follows the launch of the global EXIST Board in 2024 at the InterAction Council Plenary session in China, as outlined by the Beijing Statement made by the former World Leaders and Heads of Government. Further information can be found in the presentation, Strategy X-EXIST and the agenda and participants list for this meeting.