UNGA 79: Driving Inclusive Change and Shaping Global Futures

Welcome to Leading Africa Forward, our monthly newsletter featuring insightful conversations about corporate leadership and entrepreneurship in Africa, focusing on how to drive inclusive and sustainable growth on the continent. We will also showcase trailblazing female leaders at the helm of impactful change on the continent and share updates on our activities. 

The 79th United Nations General Assembly: A Turning Point for Global Action

In dynamic New York City, the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) brought together world leaders, diplomats, and changemakers in an atmosphere of urgency and possibility. As the 2030 SDG deadline approaches and global crises intensify—from climate disasters to growing inequalities—this year’s UNGA became a vital call to action. It served as a platform for bold ideas and transformative solutions, strengthening international cooperation, tackling the world's most pressing challenges, and a crucible for ideas shaping the next decade. 

Through this newsletter edition, AWCN will report on the key events we attended at UNGA, where leaders rose to the challenge of charting a bold path toward a more resilient, equitable future.

UN Summit of the Future

At the core of this assembly was the highly anticipated Summit of the Future, where leaders outlined the blueprint for tomorrow’s global governance. As Action Coalition commitment makers, we attended the Summit of the Future: Reset, Rethink, Reimagine, where conversations focused on achieving global SDG objectives and addressing emerging challenges and opportunities. The Pact for the Future—a bold blueprint to reshape our world into a more sustainable place for all—was also adopted. This pact includes the Global Digital Compact, a framework for digital technology and artificial intelligence governance.

“We have unlocked the door. Now it is our common responsibility to walk through it. That demands not just agreement but action,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres , urging global commitment to turn promises into reality.

This pact symbolises a new era of international cooperation and shared responsibility. It’s a call to action for all of us—to rethink how we live, work, and collaborate to tackle the biggest challenges of our time.

WIPIA Launch: Empowering Change

Nigeria's Honourable Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa , launched Women in Philanthropy and Impact Africa (WIPIA) during the UN General Assembly in New York. This groundbreaking initiative focused on driving social and economic change across the country connects women leaders to the global philanthropic sector to drive sustainable development in Africa.

The event featured a keynote by Cyrille Vigneron , Chair of Cartier Culture & Philanthropy, and a panel discussion on the impact of women’s leadership in philanthropy, with speakers including Almaz Negash , Wanjira Mathai , and Melissa Stevens , moderated by CNN’s Stephanie Busari . Key figures from global philanthropic organisations and the private sector also attended. 

We especially thank our speakers, guests, Tola St. Matthew-Daniel , Emma Rhodes , and the team at Goals House. Congratulations to all the co-founders of WIPIA: Thelma Ekiyor -Solanke, Dr. Sindy Zemura -Bernard and Dr Anino Emuwa Emuwa.

AWCN Meet Up

Ahead of the launch of Women in Philanthropy and Impact Africa (WIPIA) alongside UNGA in New York, an initiative under the auspices of AWCN, we gathered our community of impact-making women leaders for a pre-launch celebration.

GABI Unstoppable Africa 2024

The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) 2024 brought together over 2,000 participants, including 5 presidents, global leaders, and CEOs, to discuss Africa’s role in driving global economic growth. Key speakers included Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala , Director-General of the WTO, who urged Africa to be a central player in global trade, and Prof. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, who highlighted Africa's potential in renewable energy. Notable women included Sanda Ojiambo and Damilola Ogunbiyi .

Key outcomes included support for Africa's voluntary carbon markets, commitments to boost intra-African trade, and the launch of a fund for young entrepreneurs in tech and sustainability. AWCN was well represented, including Stephanie Busari , Anna Ekeledo , and Chebet Lesan .

Catalysing Philanthropy for Gender Equality: Women’s Leadership, AI, & Bridging the Digital Divide

Women in Philanthropy and Impact Africa (WIPIA), in partnership with women-led organisations /Generation Equality, Women in AI Ethics, Graduate Women International, Southern Africa Embrace Foundation, and Africa CEOs Women Network (AWCN), held a virtual side event during the UN Summit of the Future. 

This event focused on exploring the critical role of philanthropy in advancing gender equality. Speakers included Patrice Wellesley-Cole , Helene Molinier , Mia Shah-Dand , and Sophia Swire who emphasised the urgent need for structural reforms and increased female representation in technology, highlighting the role of tech in bridging the gender digital divide and addressing AI biases. They also stressed the importance of philanthropy and investment in empowering women, particularly by supporting businesses in underserved markets.

AWCN Founder at UNGA

At the UN General Assembly's Summit of the Future, Dr. Anino Emuwa, Founder of the Africa Women CEOs Network, delivered a powerful address during the session, “Towards a Common Digital Future.”

She emphasised the need for inclusive development in emerging technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), and outlined key actions for a no more equitable digital future. Dr. Emuwa stressed that without intentional action, the digital revolution could deepen inequalities. The session was chaired by the Presidents of Estonia and the Maldives, along with leaders from Botswana, Greece, Norway, and Togo.

What is AWCN?

We are a community of women leading businesses. This peer network helps women combat the “lonely-at-the-top" syndrome by supporting their professional growth through the provision of bespoke leadership development and access to business opportunities. Click here to join us To participate in our events, subscribe to our newsletter and follow Africa Women CEOs Network on LinkedIn.