The 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) is a crucial platform for addressing global challenges and advancing multilateral cooperation. With a focus on sustainable development, climate action, and conflict resolution, the assembly brought together world leaders to discuss solutions for pressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and the climate crisis. This year, UNGA 79 saw focused discussions around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly as the world approaches the 2030 deadline. While challenges remain, the assembly highlighted the collective will of nations to work together. It inspired renewed optimism that a more just and sustainable future is within reach through collaboration, innovation, and commitment.
PVBLIC Foundation is proud to have hosted a series of convenings during this important week. These gatherings provided fresh perspectives, meaningful interactions, and significant agreements to keep advancing the SDGs and delivering impact worldwide.
PVBLIC FOUNDATION AT UNGA79
The SDG Media Zone at UNGA 79, Highlighting Key Conversations for Sustainable Development
Organized by the UN Department of Global Communications in collaboration with the PVBLIC Foundation, this year’s SDG Media Zone hosted world leaders, influencers, activists, experts, content creators, and media partners to discuss actions and solutions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. Conducting 58 sessions over 5 days, the SDG Media Zone presented over 100 speakers including Academy Nominated Actress and Activist, America Ferrera, who spoke about migrant narratives in the mainstream; Actor and UN Messenger for Peace, Edward Norton, and Lang Lang, Musician and UN Messenger of Peace, who discussed the transformative impact that storytelling and music for positive change; Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, who discussed the limitations of GDP measuring; Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, who touched on the need to combat misinformation online; Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, who discussed the future of Africa and youth engagement in a town-hall session.
View the full SDG Media Zone: UNGA 79 programme here.
The Fashion Impact Fund Highlights the Power of Women in Sustainable Development at UNGA 79
During the United Nations General Assembly 79th Session, the Fashion Impact Fund, a program of PVBLIC Foundation, hosted a conversation at the SDG Media Zone that underscored the transformative potential of investing in women to create sustainable and inclusive economies. This dynamic discussion explored the vital role of women-led fashion skills training programs in advancing education, youth employment, and sustainable development for future generations.
The conversation was moderated by Joan Michelson, Journalist, Forbes Women, and featured:
Kerry Bannigan, Managing Director, PVBLIC Foundation
Ngozi Okaro, Executive Director, Custom Collaborative
Madhu Vaishnav, Founder, Saheli Women
Jeannette Rausch, AICP, Revitalization Specialist, New York State Department of State, Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure
You can explore this conversation in-depth by watching this recording available on UN Web TV.
The UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network Emphasizes Investment in Sustainable Innovation at the SDG Media Zone at UNGA 79
From left to right: Patricia Zavala, Journalist and TV Host, Wendy Waugh, Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Kerry Bannigan, Managing Director, PVBLIC Foundation, Sharon Pérez Arevalo, Senior Business Development Manager, Lenzing Group, and Boris Mercier, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Recover.
On September 25th, the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, led by the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Fashion Impact Fund (a PVBLIC Foundation initiative), hosted a panel at the SDG Media Zone “Investing in Fashion Innovation”.
Speakers discussed how the fashion industry is at a crucial juncture where sustainability and innovation are no longer optional but essential for future growth and environmental stewardship. The panel explored the role of investment in driving fashion innovation, highlighting successful case studies, discussing challenges, and identifying opportunities for future development.
The conversation was moderated by Patricia Zavala, Journalist and TV Host and featured:
Wendy Waugh, Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Theory
Sharon Pérez Arevalo, Senior Business Development Manager, Lenzing Group
Boris Mercier, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Recover
If you would like to view a recording of the panel please visit this link.
PVBLIC kicks off UNGA Week with its inaugural convening ‘Shaping The Future Through Action And Partnerships’ at the SDG Media Zone
From left to right: Daniel Wilkins, Executive Director, PVBLIC Foundation, Chris Headings, CTO, PVBLIC Foundation, David Ohana, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, United Nations Foundation, and Pelle Sjoenell, Worldwide Chief Creative Officer, Droga5.
On September 21, 2024, PVBLIC Foundation began its week of UNGA 79 convenings with “Shaping the Future through Action and Partnerships: Building a Resilient and Equitable World.”
This special gathering took place in the SDG Media Zone, featuring a celebration of our partners and programs, while showcasing PVBLIC’s global efforts to drive impact. We were proud to highlight initiatives such as the Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity, the SDG Data Alliance, and the SIDS Center of Excellence, among others.
The event successfully concluded with the signing of a key agreement between Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of the Environment - Panama, Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Executive Chairman - PVBLIC Foundation, and Heeta Lakhani, Executive Director - March for Science, signifying a commitment to collaborate for climate action.
Dive deeper into more details of this event in this Flickr photo album.
The Family Offices for Sustainable Development (FOSD) Summit & Reception at the UN Highlights Public-Private Partnerships for SDG Advancement
From left to right: Laurence Kalinsky, Head of Private Sector Initiatives, PVBLIC Foundation, Kasper Svarrer, Managing Partner, Maj Invest, Michael Bühlmann, FOSD Scandinavia, CEO, Rosetree Group, and Angelica Fuentes, Founder, Mission Moms.
The Family Offices for Sustainable Development (FOSD) Summit once again brought together global leaders and family offices at the United Nations Headquarters on September 25th, highlighting the power of public-private partnerships in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Executive Chairman of PVBLIC Foundation, opened the sessions by emphasizing the role of family offices in driving global prosperity. Key discussions on scaling resilience through sustainable financing featured leaders such as Dr. Gene Leon, Executive Director, Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity (DBRP), Former President Danilo Türk of Slovenia, and Maria Elena Agüero, Secretary-General of Club de Madrid. High-profile keynotes were delivered by Prime Minister Gaston Browne (Antigua and Barbuda), Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni (Tonga), Ms. Lotte Machon, State Secretary of Denmark and Alva Baptiste, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saint Lucia.
The event also featured a "Women of Impact" discussion led by Baroness Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations and Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, along with panels on financial access and innovation moderated by Laurence Kalinsky, Head of Private Sector Initiatives at PVBLIC, and Ashaki Goodwin Director of Government Affairs for PVBLIC. HRH Jahnavi Kumari, Head of Development at Hukum Raj Legacy, contributed to these important conversations. Additionally, Panama’s Minister of Environment, Juan Carlos Navarro, signed a commitment to the Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity (DBRP), making Panama the newest partner in this global initiative.
The FOSD team is grateful for all of the partner support from Learning Economy Foundation, Global Travel Collection, PSQR Track and Trace Software Experts, KRF Capital, IRG, Kinesis and our initiatives and platforms such as PVBLIC ONE, the SDG Data Alliance and the Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity (DBRP).
See event photos here.
2nd Health Equity Forum 2024 at UNGA: Leaders United to Drive Progress on SDGs 3 and 10 and Deliver Health Equity
From left to right: Tamara Smith, National Assoc. Vice President, Strategy Advancement Health Equity & Social Impact, Humana; Keith Leaphart, Enterprise Executive Vice President, and Humana Chief Health Equity; and Mya Price, President, The Root Cause Coalition, Assistant Professor, The George Washington University.
On September 26, 2024, PVBLIC Foundation co-hosted the second edition of the Health Equity Forum at the United Nations Headquarters during the UN General Assembly, bringing together influential leaders and visionaries committed to achieving SDGs 3 and 10. The forum emphasized the critical need for equitable access to health care and the importance of addressing the social determinants of health to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has the opportunity to thrive.
Filled with inspiring conversations and thought-provoking ideas, the event showcased the power of partnerships in creating lasting impact. Discussions centered on innovative approaches to tackle health disparities, emphasizing collaboration among public, private, and non-profit sectors to drive sustainable health solutions.
The gathering ignited momentum for future programs and initiatives that will continue advancing health equity. Attendees were inspired to build a movement fueled by passion, collaboration, and a shared vision for a healthier, more equitable world. The Health Equity Forum is made possible thanks to its Founding Partners, Gilead, Cien+ and Akkad Holdings. Program Partners Humana and Guardant Health have also stepped up in a big way to support the vision of the Health Equity Forum. PVBLIC Foundation is proud to have co-hosted and participated in this vital event, reinforcing our commitment to fostering collaboration and driving progress in sustainability. We believe that by working together with our partners and stakeholders, we can create lasting change and ensure that health equity remains at the forefront of the global agenda.
See event images here.
Cumbre de Impacto Iberoamericano 2024 Concludes UNGA 79 with Focus on Educational Transformation and Sustainable Development
Image (from left to right): Sergio Fernández de Córdova, Executive Chairman, PVBLIC Foundation, and Virginia Villar Arribas, Deputy Director of the Private Sector Partnerships Division at the World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome, Italy.
Cumbre de Impacto Iberoamericano 2024 concluded the UNGA 79 convenings week in New York, uniting leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector to address sustainable development challenges in Iberoamerica. This year's theme, Educational Transformation: Innovation and Sustainability for the Future, sparked discussions on leveraging education for capacity building and collaboration toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key summit highlights included:
Collaboration between family offices and governments to accelerate SDG impact.
The role of AI, gaming, and technology in transforming education and engaging youth in the 2030 Agenda.
Women-led initiatives promoting sustainability in both sectors.
The involvement of cities and the private sector in tackling the climate crisis in Latin America.
Prominent speakers included Virginia Villar Arribas from the World Food Programme, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez, Panama’s Special Envoy for Climate, among others. The event honored the Colombian singer Karol G with the 2024 Iberoamerican Impact Award for her work with Fundación Con Cora. The summit concluded with the announcement of Panama as the Focus Country for Cumbre de Impacto Iberoamericano 2025 and a new partnership between UN Women and the “Frida Kahlo by Women Experiences” project to advocate for gender equality and combat gender-based violence.
On behalf of Cumbre de Impacto Iberoamericano and PVBLIC Foundation, we extend our gratitude to our esteemed partners, which helped us make this event possible, such as LALIGA, The Coca-Cola Company América Latina, WE LOVE Foundation, Bavaria, the Global Institute for the Future of Tourism, Aeropuerto Internacional de Tulum, Estado de Quintana Roo, Caribe Mexicano, Cumbre Mundial de Economía Verde, and New Ventures.
OUR PARTNERS IMPACT AT UNGA 79
Wild Earth Oceania Film Festival Hosts Exclusive UN Screening of 'Future Council' Featuring Young Change-Makers
Image by David Nicholas at the UN Headquarters in New York City. Wild Earth Oceania Film Festival, ‘Future Council’ Screening.
The Wild Earth Oceania Film Festival, proudly presented by Phantm and Intrepid, hosted an exclusive screening of Future Council on September 26th, 2024, on the fourth floor of the United Nations Headquarters.
The screening was followed by a guest panel featuring the stars of the film—eight children from the Future Council—who shared their experiences and insights from the film's journey. Directed by renowned documentary filmmaker Damon Gameau, Future Council took these eight children on an epic adventure across Europe to meet powerful leaders and explore solutions to some of the world’s most pressing ecological challenges. The film, which has received standing ovations at premieres worldwide, continues to inspire a global movement of young, empowered leaders imagining and daring to build a brighter future.
PVBLIC Foundation is proud to have supported our partners at Wild Earth Oceania in delivering this powerful message of change, and we remain committed to amplifying initiatives that drive global transformation.
Skyway Dinner at UNGA 2024: Advancing the Transforming Education Platform
As part of the Transforming Education Platform, PVBLIC Foundation hosted an intimate dinner during the United Nations General Assembly, bringing together over 50 global education leaders, family offices, technologists, and supporters.
The event showcased the Skyway Initiative, a pioneering effort to revolutionize education through the integration of cutting-edge technology, adaptive curricula, and progressive policy solutions. Backed by the Walton Family Foundation and key partners, the Skyway Initiative is creating sustainable, equitable learning pathways for learners worldwide, positioning itself as a leader in the future of education.
The IMPACT 10 Dinner Celebrates Changemakers Driving Sustainability in Fashion and Creativity
Image: IMPACT 10 Dinner attendees and organizers.
On September 26th, PVBLIC Foundation, Global Fashion Exchange, IRK Magazine, and Splashlight Studio recognized the efforts of industry leaders, influencers, and changemakers dedicated to sustainability, ethics, and innovative initiatives during the IMPACT 10 dinner. This event spotlighted 10 individuals who have made significant contributions to reshaping the fashion and creative industries with forward-thinking ideas with regard to sustainable practices.
The purpose of IMPACT 10 is to inspire global participation in sustainability efforts, aiming to build a more responsible future for fashion and creativity. The gathering showcased the honorees' achievements and encouraged others to follow in their footsteps, promoting a more ethical and environmentally conscious world.
Special thanks: SAATVA Supports Global Dialogue with Furniture Donation for UN Convenings
Image by: Simon Luethi. FOSD Summit at the UN Headquarters, New York City.
PVBLIC Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to SAATVA for their generous furniture donation, which helped create an inspiring and comfortable environment for our series of convenings at the South Delegates Room at the United Nations Headquarters. Thanks to SAATVA, we were able to host impactful events such as the Family Offices for Sustainable Development 2024 Summit, the Health Equity Forum, Cumbre de Impacto Iberoamericano, and many more gatherings, during the crucial moments of UNGA 79. We are proud to have partnered with SAATVA to foster meaningful global dialogue.
Learn more about SAATVA here.
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