Blog Archives

Watch: UN Town Hall on the Selection of the Next Secretary-General

7/24/2026

The “UN Town Hall: The Next Secretary-General” features six candidates seeking to serve as the next United Nations Secretary-General for a discussion on the future of the organization and global leadership. The event comes one week before the formal start of a selection process that is especially consequential for an organization facing significant global challenges.

Organized by the Office of the President of the UN General Assembly with support from Bloomberg, the Town Hall features journalist-moderated conversations with the nominated candidates.

Nominees:

Rafael Mariano Grossi (nominated November 26, 2025)
Michelle Bachelet Jeria (nominated February 2, 2026)
Macky Sall (nominated March 2, 2026)
Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis (nominated March 3, 2026)
María Fernanda Espinosa (nominated May 11, 2026)
Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett (nominated June 15, 2026)

The discussion marks an important milestone in the selection and appointment process and gives Member States, civil society representatives, UN staff and the public an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their visions for the future of the United Nations.

Watch the UN Town Hall on UN Web TV

0 Comments

Advocacy as a Way of Life: Reflections on the 2026 UNA-USA Advocacy Summit

7/7/2026

0 Comments

Tshimbombu Eric Wa Tshimbombu with UNA-USA Executive Director Faith Akovi Cooper during the 2026 UNA-USA Advocacy Summit — June 29

By Tshimbombu Eric Wa Tshimbombu, UNA-Atlanta Member

The 2026 UNA-USA Advocacy Summit marked a personal milestone. It reminded me that the qualities we develop as children can become valuable tools for addressing global challenges.

My commitment to advocacy began long before UNA-USA. As a child in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), I stood up for my siblings and spoke out against injustice. At school that passion led me to become an attorney in the DRC, earn an LL.M. in the United States, become a Registered Georgia Mediator, and found a social legal organization and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) firm. For me, advocacy is not something I chose; it is a way of life.

Through the UNA-USA, I had the honor of representing Georgia and advocating before Members of the U.S. Congress on behalf of the United Nations. It was a profound responsibility to speak from experience and on behalf of billions of people whose lives are shaped by global peace, health, humanitarian assistance, and international cooperation. Our mission emphasized U.S. leadership and funding for the United Nations. My advocacy also highlighted the need for UN peacekeeping mandates and programs tailored to the realities of the countries they serve, with monitoring and engagement by the UN and the U.S. to achieve lasting outcomes.

Article 1 of the UN Charter establishes four fundamental purposes: maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, achieving international cooperation in solving global problems, and serving as the center for harmonizing the actions of nations toward these common goals.

My advocacy through the UNA-USA advances these objectives. Advocating for the United Nations is different from advocating for an individual, a community, or a nation because its impact extends across the world, benefiting millions I may never meet. Recognizing that humanity includes each of us means advocating for the world is also advocating for myself. That realization brings humility and purpose.

More than one hundred advocates came together for this mission. We came from different backgrounds, professions, and life experiences, but were united by one goal: advocacy. For two days, we embodied the spirit of Article 1(4) of the UN Charter by harmonizing our efforts in pursuit of peace, health, food security, innovation, and hope.

Today, the DRC continues to endure the deadliest conflict since World War II. The Middle East faces ongoing instability; Europe confronts uncertainty because of the war in Ukraine. Geopolitical competition continues to intensify across Asia, Americans are suspicious and distrustful of one another, and global security challenges continue. In this environment, diplomacy is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Diplomacy costs less than war, peacekeeping costs far less than military intervention, and preventing conflict costs far less than rebuilding nations after conflict. Investing in the United Nations is an investment in peace, stability, and our shared future. It was my honor to contribute to that purpose proudly.

Tshimbombu Eric Wa Tshimbombu, UNA-Atlanta member, meets with Alexandra Schindewolf of U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde’s office, representing Georgia’s 9th District, during the 2026 UNA-USA Advocacy Summit to advocate for strong U.S. support for the United Nations.

Tshimbombu Eric Wa Tshimbombu, UNA-Atlanta member, connects with Samuel Hymes, Harvard fellow, and Rob Placek, Senior Advisor for Sports Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State, during the 2026 UNA-USA Advocacy Summit.

Tshimbombu Eric Wa Tshimbombu represents Georgia during the 2026 UNA-USA Advocacy Summit, joining advocates from across the country in support of strong U.S. engagement with the United Nations.

0 Comments

From Georgia to Capitol Hill: Reflections on the 2026 UNA-USA Advocacy Summit

7/3/2026

1 Comment

Pictured is Judith Onuwa (left) and wearing a white pant suit with UNA-USA Executive Director Faith Akovi Cooper, dressed in a navy blue pant suit during the 2026 UNA-USA Advocacy Summit

Judith Onuwa (left) with UNA-USA Executive Director Faith Akovi Cooper during the 2026 UNA-USA Advocacy Summit — June 29

By Judith Onuwa, UNA-Atlanta Member

First, I would like to thank UNA-USA for allowing me to participate as an advocate during the 2026 UNA-USA Advocacy Summit (June 29–30) in Washington, DC. It was a remarkable experience that left me inspired, challenged and more than ever committed to serving others.

Prior to the summit, my perception of advocacy included only meetings with lawmakers and the policymaking process. Although such aspects are essential and integral to advocacy, it became obvious that advocating is more about people. Each of the issues discussed during the summit, from global health and peace to humanitarian work is about people, families and communities.

One of the most memorable aspects of this trip was being able to meet with congressional offices representing Georgia. This allowed me to understand that everyone's voice counts no matter how small he or she may seem and whatever title a person bears. Being a nurse and the founder of a non-profit, I always consider my mission to serve people on an individual basis; however, this summit made me realize that advocacy helps me to serve whole communities. I have really enjoyed meeting people from such diverse backgrounds. Each and every person had a unique story, but all of them had a common passion to improve our world in some way. These discussions were very inspirational and reminded me that real progress can be achieved only when we put collaboration above confrontation.

Attending this summit was a personal challenge for me. Sometimes I went out of my comfort zone and met new people, talked about my experience, represented not only my non-profit, but also my community. It made me understand that leadership is not about knowing everything. You should be open-minded, ready to learn something new and improve yourself constantly. There is one thing I will remember forever. Service is not limited only by bedside service or even work in my non-profit. Whenever I’m taking care of my patients, working on affordable housing initiatives or working with women and children in my foundation, and talking with policymakers, all this is the same process. It is aimed at protecting human dignity and giving people an opportunity to succeed.

I came back home with new friends, new ideas, and a new-found sense of determination. This whole experience has reinforced my resolve to use healthcare and humanitarian services and advocacy to create an impact both locally and internationally. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to reflect on this. I feel very fortunate to have been part of this experience and cannot wait to implement all that I learned.

PictureJudith Onuwa and Eriq Tshimbombupose with UNA-USA Executive Director Faith Akovi Cooper during the UNA-USA Advocacy Summit. Faith is holding a soccer ball, bringing a little World Cup spirit to the summit

Judith Onuwa with UNA-USA Executive Director Faith Akovi Cooper during the UNA-USA Advocacy Summit — bringing a little World Cup spirit to a moment rooted in connection, advocacy, and global cooperation.

Judith Onuwa sitting at a table holding a sign that says Georgia in white letters on a royal blue background

Judith Onuwa is standing holding a sign with the word Georgia in white letters on a royal blue background with a shot of the US Capitol behind here in Washington, DC

1 Comment