Engaging for Change: World Food Program USA at UNGA and Climate Week NYC

Published September 16, 2024

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Climate Week NYC converge in New York City at the end of September to unite a diverse array of senior humanitarian officials, development experts, private sector innovators, and passionate advocates. UNGA is held annually at the U.N. Headquarters, and is a crucial forum for addressing global issues, fostering international cooperation, and shaping global policies. Climate Week NYC complements this by focusing on climate action and sustainability. In this dynamic environment, World Food Program USA is excited to announce our participation in key events alongside core partners that will take place during this pivotal week. 

Our upcoming events will feature thought-provoking in-person panels and hybrid sessions with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and our private sector, celebrity, and youth advocate partners. These events are designed to inspire, spark conversations, and mobilize action to end global hunger.  

Here’s What’s Coming Up:  

September 24: Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting  

The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting will explore the persistence, innovation, and partnerships that are driving solutions to our world’s most pressing challenges. World Food Program USA and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be onsite and announce a new CGI Commitment to Action, in addition to new grants supporting emergency response, nutrition assistance and post-harvest loss programs. We continue to celebrate more than a decade of collaboration and impact with the Church, whose generosity has helped the U.N. World Food Programme respond to hunger emergencies and build resilience for people around the world who are impacted by hunger crises. 

September 25: The New York Times Climate Forward Breakfast Event: “In Her Hands: Technologies for Women-led Climate Resilience”  

WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain

With our co-sponsor Google.org, we’re hosting a special event from 7:30-8:30am ET on September 25 during The New York Times Climate Forward conference. Individuals participating in the conference are invited to join us for breakfast and a series of conversations featuring WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain, WFP Assistant Executive Director of Partnerships and Innovation Rania Dagash-Kamara, WFP Goodwill Ambassador Andrew Zimmern and Google’s Senior Vice President of Research, Technology and Society James Manyika.  

WFP Goodwill Ambassador Andrew Zimmern

The discussion will spotlight how private sector collaboration, powered by cutting-edge technology and data-driven innovation, is driving new solutions to address global hunger. Panelists will also examine the convergence of women and technology in building climate resilience, offering real world insights into the power of collective will and action. 

September 26: Food Tank and World Food Program USA Climate Week NYC 2024 Summit: “Food and Agriculture Is a Key Solution to the Climate Crisis” 

Food Tank and World Food Program USA will host a Climate Week NYC Summit at NPR-WNYC Studio’s The Greene Space. The event will feature Barron Segar (President & CEO of World Food Program USA), Rebecca Middleton (Chief Advocacy & Engagement Office, WFP USA), Rania Dagash-Kamara, Andrew Zimmern, private sector partners, and members of World Food Program USA’s newly formed Zero Hunger Activist Council: Drea Okeke, Maddy DeVita, Bailey Bass, and Manolo Gonzalez Vergara. Discussions at the event will range from the role of private sector investment in community-based climate resilience to importance of youth advocacy in tackling hunger and the climate crisis.

Tune in to the live stream here >

Zero Hunger Activist Council

September 28: Global Citizen Festival, Presented by Citi 

WFP and World Food Program USA global partner, Citi, is a co-presenting partner of the Global Citizen Festival, a music festival broadcasted globally from Central Park where 60,000 fans will gather to take actions to help end extreme poverty. This year’s performers include Post Malone, Doja Cat, LISA, Jelly Roll, Rauw Alejandro, and more. During the Festival, WFP leadership will be joined on stage by Antoni Porowski, a passionate advocate for food security. Together, they’ll announce a new commitment from Citi in support of WFP’s global hunger relief efforts and ways individuals can get involved.   

Antoni Porowski

This will build upon a donation from Citi to WFP made earlier this year to kick-start this global partnership, which included participation by Citi and WFP on a panel this past May at Global Citizen NOW to discuss ways the organizations are working together to solve the global hunger crisis. For more information about Global Citizen Festival and how to tune in, click here.   

We invite you to follow us on social media to stay updated on our UNGA and Climate Week NYC activities and join the conversation.