New York, USA — September 4, 2025,
Two of the world’s most prestigious gatherings — the Global Power Women Conference (GPWC) and the International Forum on African-Caribbean Leadership (IFAL) — are joining forces for the first time to create a single, transformative platform for leaders: the Global Power Forum (GPF). This inaugural edition of GPF will take place on September 25, 2025, at the City University of New York (CUNY), convened by the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) in collaboration with the African Leadership Magazine(ALM).
GPWC has, for years, carved out a space where women leaders, from presidents and ministers to entrepreneurs and innovators, can amplify their influence on governance, business, and society. IFAL, on the other hand, convened African and Caribbean statesmen, policymakers, and business leaders to promote trade, diplomacy, and cultural ties. Together, they now form a single force that drives gender equity and Afro-Caribbean cooperation into one collective movement, placing women and South-South partnerships at the centre of the conversation on prosperity.
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With the theme “Global Power for Shared Prosperity: Women, Leadership, and Partnerships Across the Global South,” the GPF will witness an extraordinary assembly of leaders, from Heads of State and First Ladies to entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and policymakers. Among the most anticipated sessions is a focus on women’s economic empowerment through trade and technology, exploring how innovation, artificial intelligence, and cross-border partnerships can expand opportunities for women-led businesses in high-growth sectors. Another highlight will be the First Ladies Roundtable, redefining the role of First Ladies from one of charity-driven support to that of powerful national architects of equity in health, education, and entrepreneurship.
The forum will also culminate in the Global Power Awards Gala, a night of recognition, cultural celebration, and influence, where exceptional women and Afro-Caribbean leaders will be honoured for reshaping societies and building legacies of impact. Equally significant will be the live activation of the Global Power Network, a new platform designed to mobilise capital, policy influence, and partnerships for women leaders worldwide.
The forum has already attracted a powerful slate of confirmed speakers and attendees, among them Prime Minister Philip Davis of The Bahamas, former Tanzanian President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of OAFLAD, Dr. Lucrecia Peinado, First Lady of Guatemala, and Mrs. Lavinia Valbonesi, First Lady of Ecuador. They will be joined by ministers, CEOs, and changemakers from across Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider Global South.
About CELD
The Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) is a global organisation dedicated to advancing women’s leadership and promoting inclusive economic growth. Through research, convenings, and advocacy, CELD provides platforms for women leaders to shape policy, enterprise, and governance.
About ALO
The African Leadership Organisation (ALO) is a pan-African institution committed to showcasing, celebrating, and enabling African leadership across politics, business, and society. Through its media platforms and convenings, ALO amplifies voices that are redefining Africa’s place in the global arena.
Media Contact
For press enquiries, interviews, and participation, kindly contact:
Dr. (Mrs.) Ibifuro Ken-Giami
Executive Director, CELD UK | Founder, GPWN
+44 7471 066570
Email info@celd.org.uk
Website www.celd.org.uk
