African Women Leaders Network charts bold future at UNGA81 Forum. The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), in collaboration with the African Union (AU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and UN Women, convened a landmark Global Forum on Women's Leadership during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81). The high-level gathering drew more than 300 African women leaders from across the continent and the diaspora, alongside African Heads of State, former Presidents, AWLN Elders, senior AU and UN officials, development partners, financial institutions, and private sector executives. Track Investments The event underscored a central question: What should African women's leadership look like over the next decade, and what will it take to ensure women have the power and resources to shape Africa's future? Among the distinguished participants were H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, AWLN Patron and former President of Liberia; H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia; H.E. Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi; H.E. Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius; H.E. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. Their collective message was clear: women's leadership is not merely about representation, but about necessity in today's rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. The Leadership Dialogue, moderated by Folly Bah Thibault of Al Jazeera English, brought together AWLN Elders to reflect on their experiences at the highest levels of political authority. Discussions highlighted the challenges of navigating national transformation, building solidarity among women leaders, and creating pathways for the next generation. The panel emphasized that representation must translate into meaningful influence, institutional authority, and the ability to shape decisions. Institutional leaders, including Ms. Aïssata De of UNDP, Mme Bineta Diop, AWLN Co-Convener, and Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, reinforced the need to move beyond symbolic presence. They called for sustained investment in women-led initiatives, stronger networks, and resource mobilization to ensure women leaders can exercise real influence on continental and global agendas. The private sector's role was also spotlighted, with contributions from Aisha Maina, Marie Celéste Bagniakana, Ndeye Thiaw, Anta Babacar Ngom, Kadijah Amoah, and Abigail Ony Nwaohuocha. Their interventions stressed the importance of expanding access to capital, strengthening women-led enterprises, and driving corporate action to enhance women's economic leadership. In a significant milestone, Aisha Maina, CEO of Aquarian Consult Limited, was appointed AWLN's first-ever Global Ambassador. Known for her high-impact initiatives, Maina's mandate will focus on consolidating AWLN's achievements, expanding strategic partnerships, and amplifying the Network's visibility and impact across Africa and globally. The Forum also honored Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa with the AWLN Achievement Award, recognizing her exceptional leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing women's leadership and Africa's development. The award was presented by H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde. The High-Level Plenary featured Minister Monica Mutsvangwa of Zimbabwe, H.E. Liberata Mulamula, AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, and Hon. Lesego Chombo of Botswana. They underscored the urgency of moving from representation to action, calling for stronger political commitment, adequate financing, and accelerated national processes toward the ratification and implementation of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG). Preceding the Forum was a reception on 25 September, where Madam Bineta Diop and Ms. Diene Keita launched the second edition of the Positive Masculinity initiative, with UNFPA as lead partner. The campaign aims to accelerate the signature and ratification of AU CEVAWG, reinforcing the commitment to ending violence against women and girls. The gathering also celebrated UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, honoring her leadership and contributions to advancing gender equity within the United Nations. As global governance continues to evolve, the AWLN Global Forum made one thing clear: African women must not only be present in decision-making spaces but must also wield the agency, influence, and resources necessary to shape the decisions that will define the next decade. Published by Francis Buetey Please keep comments respectful. Use plain English for its global readership and avoid using phrasing that could be misinterpreted as offensive. By commenting, you agree to abide by its community guidelines and these terms and conditions. Thebftonline encourage you to report inappropriate comments. All Comments 0

PRESS RELEASE: The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) convenes Global Forum at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), advancing Women's Leadership in global governance. NEW YORK, 26 September 2026 - The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), in partnership with the African Union (AU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and UN Women, convened the AWLN Global Forum on Women's Leadership in New York on 26 September 2026, on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81). The high-level gathering brought together more than 300 African women leaders from across the continent and the diaspora, African Heads of State and Government, former Presidents and AWLN Elders, senior African Union and United Nations officials, women leaders, development partners, financial institutions and private sector executives. Among the distinguished participants were H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, AWLN Patron and former President of the Republic of Liberia; AWLN Elders, including H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, H.E. Joyce Banda and H.E. Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim; H.E. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; H.E. Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa; Ms. Diene Keita, Executive Director of UNFPA, Ms Aissata De, Regional Director a.i. UNDP RBA and H.E. Madam Bineta Diop, AWLN Co-Convener. At the heart of the Forum was a forward-looking question: What should African women's leadership look like over the next decade, and what will it take to ensure women have the power and resources to shape Africa's future? H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf set the tone alongside H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi and H.E. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, underscoring a shared message: in today's rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, women's leadership is not simply a matter of representation, it is a necessity. Moderated by Folly Bah Thibault, Senior News Anchor at Al Jazeera English, the Leadership Dialogue brought together AWLN Elders H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, H.E. Joyce Banda and H.E. Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim to draw on their experiences at the highest levels of political leadership. The panel explored the realities of exercising political authority, navigating periods of national and economic transformation, building solidarity among women leaders and creating pathways for the next generation. The dialogue underscored that increasing women's representation remains essential, but representation must translate into meaningful influence, institutional authority and the ability to shape decisions. Institutional representatives, including Ms. Aïssata De, Mme Bineta Diop and Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, emphasized the need to move beyond representation towards real influence, with women shaping continental and global agendas. Resource mobilization emerged as a key priority, with calls for sustained investment in women leaders, women-led initiatives, and the institutions, networks and partnerships that enable women to lead and exercise influence. The private sector was highlighted as an essential partner in this effort. Contributions from Aisha Maina, Marie Celéste Bagniakana, Ndeye Thiaw, Anta Babacar Ngom, Kadijah Amoah and Abigail Ony Nwaohuocha reinforced the importance of stronger partnerships, investment in women-led enterprises, greater access to capital and concrete corporate action to expand women's economic leadership. In a significant step towards strengthening AWLN's global engagement and long-term sustainability, Aisha Maina, CEO of Aquarian Consult Limited and known for high impact initiatives, was appointed the Network's first-ever Global Ambassador. Her mandate will focus on consolidating AWLN's achievements, expanding strategic partnerships, strengthening resource mobilization and amplifying the Network's visibility and impact across Africa and globally. The gathering also celebrated the contributions of Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, the new United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, formerly the Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP's Regional Bureau for Africa, who received the AWLN Achievement Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership, distinguished service and steadfast commitment to advancing women's leadership and Africa's development. H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde presented the award. The High-Level Plenary, featuring Minister Monica Mutsvangwa of Zimbabwe, H.E. Liberata Mulamula, AUC Special Envoy on WPS, and Hon. Lesego Chombo of Botswana, underscored the need to move from representation to action. Drawing on experiences from their respective countries, leaders called for stronger political commitment, adequate financing and greater investment in women's leadership, mentorship and intergenerational pathways, alongside accelerated national processes towards the signature, ratification and implementation of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG). The Global Forum was preceded by a pre-Forum reception on 25 September, featuring the launch by Madam Bineta Diop and Ms. Diene Keita, of the second edition of the Positive Masculinity initiative, with UNFPA as lead partner, alongside a campaign to accelerate the signature and ratification of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG). The Forum was also an opportunity to celebrate UN Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed in the spirit of African culture and tradition, recognizing her leadership and significant contributions to advancing gender equity within the United Nations. As global governance continues to evolve, the Forum underscored the importance of ensuring that African women are not only just present in the spaces where decisions are made but are equipped with the agency, influence and resources to help shape the decisions that will define the next decade. About the African Women Leaders Network The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), established in 2017 with the support of the African Union and the United Nations, is a continental platform advancing women's leadership for peace, governance and sustainable development. Through its 39 National Chapters, intergenerational leadership model, strategic partnerships and advocacy, AWLN strengthens women's political participation, fosters peer learning and collaboration, and supports current and future generations of African women leaders across the continent.

UNFPA introduced the concept of Demographic Intelligence for investment and Economic Diversification at Turkmenistan Investment Forum. 04/10/2026 By Admin ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 2, 2026 - On October 1-2, Ashgabat hosted the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2026), bringing together representatives of government bodies, international financial institutions, global business, and the expert community. The Forum serves as a key international platform for showcasing the country's investment potential, discussing major economic projects, and strengthening strategic partnerships. The event agenda covered key topics including the development of the energy sector, transport, logistics, digital technologies, as well as attracting foreign investment for sustainable economic growth. Kemal Goshliyev, Head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Office in Turkmenistan, participated in the forum. Speaking during Session 6, titled "Strategic Course Towards Economic Diversification: Cooperation with International Financial Organizations and Development Partners," he highlighted the critical role of demographic factors in economic planning. "Demographic shifts are a decisive factor in determining whether long-term capital investments ultimately succeed," emphasized Kemal Goshliyev. In his statement, he also noted that leveraging Demographic Intelligence equips both the state and investors with a clear understanding of workforce dynamics and consumer demand, enabling the timely realization of the demographic dividend and minimizing risks during economic diversification. Strengthening data systems for demographic changes is a priority area of strategic cooperation between UNFPA and Turkmenistan. Through this partnership, UNFPA provides technical support to the Government in population data collection and analysis, including support for the 2022 Complete Population and Housing Census, capacity building in demographic forecasting, and the establishment of a digital statistical population registry. Furthermore, UNFPA actively supports the development of the long-term Strategy for Sustainable Demographic Development of Turkmenistan up to 2050, alongside research initiatives such as the Time-use Survey to expand economic opportunities for women and youth.///nCa, 4 October 2026 (in cooperation with UNFPA Turkmenistan)