Three women share an uncommon experience: standing as candidates to lead the United Nations. Having witnessed the Secretary-General selection process from within, they now come together in an intergenerational conversation to explain the complexities of the UNSG election process. With the 2026 race on the horizon and global pressure mounting, this conversation goes beyond reflection.
Speakers:
Susana Malcorra, President, Global Women Leaders (GWL) Voices
Helen Clark, Member, Global Women Leaders (GWL) Voices
Irina Bokova, Member, Global Women Leaders (GWL) Voices
Moderator:
Raj Kumar, Founding President & Editor-in-Chief, Devex
Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2026.
"Happy Lunar New Year.
As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we celebrate a symbol of energy, success, and the courage to forge ahead — qualities our world urgently needs as we confront conflict, inequality, and the climate crisis.
This season of renewal reminds us that, together, we can build a safer, more inclusive future.
Let us continue to advance our shared commitment to peace, dignity, and sustainable development for all.
May the spirit of the horse bring you health, happiness, and prosperity."
Remarks to the press ahead of the 39th Assembly of the African Union, by United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, alongside: Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU).
Full Remarks:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-events/2026-02-14/secretary-generals-press-conference-the-39th-african-union-summit
Addressing the African Union Summit, Secretary-General António Guterres pleads for global climate adaption for the continent that faces faster-than-average warming.
Maryam Bukar Hassan, Nigerian spoken word artist and poet, has been named the first United Nations Global Advocate for Peace—a groundbreaking role that recognizes the power of youth voices in shaping peace and security. "Peace is not the absence of war; it is the presence of understanding," she writes, capturing the essence of her vision for a more just and inclusive world. Drawing on her lived experience with conflict, Maryam brings resilience and creativity to peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts.
Speakers:
Maryam Bukar, UN Global Advocate for Peace
Moderator:
Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary General for the Global Communications
For Valentine’s Day 💙, peacekeepers received heartfelt messages of appreciation from the communities they serve. In sharing their gratitude, community members recognized the meaningful difference that both uniformed and civilian peacekeepers have made in their lives through their support and commitment to security.
Let’s give a round of applause to all the peacekeepers #ServingForPeace, away from their families and loved ones, working hand in hand with communities towards lasting peace. 🙌
0:14 – ‘The world is in a very different place’ Gita Gopinath makes her predictions for 2026: Gita Gopinath, Harvard University economics professor and former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, explains why recent turmoil hasn’t yet shown up in global growth rates. She also discusses the potential of AI, as well as concerns about a bubble, and the threat of ‘jobless growth’.
3:32 – These data centres can regulate their energy consumption using AI: AI data centres use massive amounts of energy, and as data centres multiply, the problem will only become increasingly severe. That’s the thorny knot Emerald AI is bidding to untangle. Here, founder and CEO Varun Sivaram explains how it works – and how it can use AI to reduce local power bills, rather than raise them.
6:36 – How East Asia is succeeding in the energy transition. According to this expert: In countries like China and South Korea, argues UNSW professor Elizabeth Thurbon, the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is framed as a massive opportunity: one that can provide a huge boost to national, #energy and economic security – and whose benefits can be felt and shared by all.
8:39 – Young people, social media and AI: what’s a healthy way forward?: ‘Friendships are awkward and hard and you need a lot of practice. AI companions take all of it away’, says Jonathan Haidt, professor at NYU Stern and critic of social media use in childhood and adolescence. But Gen Z-er Jenny Kim disagrees, and says AI companions provide her with support when her real friends aren’t available. Also on the Davos panel were Bill Ready, CEO of Pinterest, and Adam Grant, psychologist at Wharton School.
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