NPR’s All Things Considered host and acclaimed author Mary Louise Kelly joined Sabina Bhatia, Director of the Corporate Services and Facilities Department at the IMF, for a compelling conversation that bridged journalism, leadership, and the personal cost of ambition.
This week Ghana took center stage as a story of resilience reform, and renewal. The conversation around Ghana’s economic recovery was refreshingly optimistic, a reminder that progress, though hard-won, is indeed possible with discipline and vision.
When it comes to women, being grounded with a
forward-looking vision, “Pathways to Rural Prosperity: Unlocking Green Jobs for Women and Youth through Renewable Energy Access.” Hosted under the Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF), it captured the energy and optimism of a
movement determined to make inclusive growth more than just a talking point.
Let’s be honest, when women have financial power, everyone benefits. Families grow stronger, communities become more resilient, and economies flourish. Yet for far too long, women have been on the sidelines of finance. From being denied loans to lacking access to savings and insurance, the barriers have been as invisible as they are powerful.
A quiet revolution is underway in the world of finance, and women are leading it. At the recent World Bank and IMF Meetings, one theme stood out loud and clear: women are no longer just part of the economic story; they’re writing it. Across boardrooms, investment firms, and even within multilateral institutions, there’s a growing realization that wealth transfer and financial power are shifting into women’s hands.
When it comes to global progress, women’s financial inclusion isn’t just another talking point; it’s a cornerstone of real, lasting change. It’s directly tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 5: Gender Equality and Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
The 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) marks a historic milestone
in the journey of multilateral diplomacy. In 2025, the General Assembly chose to declare this year as the “Year of International Peace”,
signaling a renewed global commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and conflict prevention.
To understand the significance of UNGA 80, one must look back at the history of the General
Assembly. Established in 1945, following the devastation of World War II, the UNGA was envisioned as the “parliament of humanity.” Unlike the UN Security Council, where a handful of powerful nations hold vetoes, the General
Assembly gives each of its 193 member states an equal voice and vote.
The declaration of 2025 as the Year of International Peace comes against the backdrop of unprecedented global challenges. Armed Conflicts: Wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and other regions continue to cause immense human suffering. These conflicts also destabilize neighboring countries, fuel refugee crises, and divert resources away from development.
Every September, the UN Peace Bell rings with solemn dignity. Yet Secretary-General António Guterres reminded us: peace isn’t ceremonial, it’s forged. And it’s not only forged in conference rooms but also shaped by every action civil society and philanthropy take in neighborhoods, schools, and fragile communities worldwide.
At the opening of the 80th UN General Assembly, Secretary-General Guterres said what many diplomats hesitate to: national interest is strangling global cooperation. And in an age of pandemics, climate collapse, and mass displacement, national silos are recipes for failure.
As conflicts multiply, civilians carry the heaviest burden. The UN Secretary-General was blunt: peace will not appear by accident. It must be built, defended, and demanded. That’s where philanthropy and civil society cannot afford to look away.