September 27, 2023 – Last week, WPDI CEO and founder, Forest Whitaker, was in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly. He participated in a series of meetings and events mostly focused on the UN 2030 Agenda and its seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since their adoption by all the leaders of the world in 2015, Forest has been a prominent advocate of the UN Global Goals to make the future a better place for all of humanity, as he explained in his blog on International Day of Peace and this trip was an opportunity to meet important figures in the global efforts to tackle the various challenges facing humanity today. Forest’s visit took place in the framework of the global effort to put the SDG agenda back on track. At the halfway point, we have achieved just 15% of the goals we set out, and Forest is committed to promoting action around the world that will accelerate humanity’s progress towards these goals.
From left to right: Eddie Ndopu, Hamdi Ulukaya, Richard Curtis, Mia Mottley, Hindou Ibrahim, António Guterres, Dia Mirza, Amina J. Mohammed, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Forest Whitaker, Annemarie Hou.
Notably, Forest attended a meeting with UN Secretary-General Secretary, António Guterres, and Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, and other prominent SDG advocates such as Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Richard Curtis, Eddie Ndopu, Hindou Ibrahim, Hamdi Ulukaya, Dia Mirza, Jeffrey Sachs, Valentina Munoz Rabanal, and Brad Smith. Following this high-level meeting, PM of Barbados and SDG Advocate Mia Mottley officially inaugurated the new SDG Pavilion.
Inaugurating a new space dedicated to the #SDGs at the @UN: the SDG Pavilion! As @miaamormottley said, the world needs to pause, heal and love. We have a 15-year agenda for that, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals to achieve, and we’re already halftime – let’s accelerate! pic.twitter.com/tA5hUVFGpk
— Forest Whitaker (@ForestWhitaker) September 18, 2023
The next day, Forest also spoke at the Halftime Show, a special event that brought together musical guests and speakers to inspire audiences to push for action to help humanity achieve our SDGs in the second half. “The SDGs are the most effective blueprint we have to ensure universal access to the fundamental human rights that will ensure security and prosperity. And as we come together now to commit to the acceleration of the SDGs in the second half, the voice and participation of youth must be ensured. Young people are the torchbearers for change and are crucial in the protection of human rights, as demonstrated by their commitment and activism across the world,” he said.
In a series of side meetings and in the framework of WPDI’s annual board meeting, Forest met with Jean-Yves Fillion from BNP Paribas. He also had partnership meetings during the UN week with Fahad Al Sulaiti, CEO of Education Above All, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mohammad Yunus, all to discuss future projects for peace, collaboration and taking stock of successes.
Forest Whitaker with WPDI Board Member CEO of BNP Paribas USA Jean-Yves Fillion.
Excited to scale up our partnership with @EAA_Foundation! Great meeting with their CEO Fahad Al Sulaiti today in New York. pic.twitter.com/P2QfX2VTwX
— Forest Whitaker (@ForestWhitaker) September 19, 2023
Meeting with Prof. Yunus is always so inspiring and enriching! Looking forward to working together more in the near future! pic.twitter.com/PwcxwMcVu6
— Forest Whitaker (@ForestWhitaker) September 24, 2023
Every year, the UN General Assembly week is an opportunity for leaders and activists from all around the world to come together and reflect on global progress, achievements and challenges. It is, for Forest Whitaker, a key event to inspire and be inspired, advocate for WPDI’s Peacebuilding mandate and sustainable development in zones of conflict.