Global Diplomacy Summit Turns Five

From a humble beginning in 2021, the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen has evolved into a significant international platform, engaging over 50 global leaders’ spouses and numerous experts in tackling pressing humanitarian issues. Founded by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska, the summit has successfully transitioned into a permanent fixture known as the Global Platform, fostering extensive international cooperation.

Launched as an annual congregation, the summit has consistently delivered tangible results by uniting global communities, launching international initiatives, and catalyzing research and partnerships. For instance, the inaugural summit in 2021 themed “Soft Power in the New Reality” not only brought together 12 first ladies and gentlemen but also established a foundational community of influential figures. By 2022, the summit had expanded its reach, raising USD 6.4 million for humanitarian efforts and facilitating the procurement of 92 ambulances under the theme “Ukraine and the World: The Future we (Re)build Together.”

Each year, the summit has focused on a different theme addressing critical humanitarian challenges — from mental health and child protection to education and human development. The 2023 summit alone, focusing on mental health, expanded to include 29 participants from 11 countries, resulting in the creation of over 100 international medical partnerships. The following year, the summit addressed child protection and saw the adoption of significant declarations aimed at safeguarding children’s futures.

Most recently, the 2025 summit titled “Education Shaping the World” has proven to be a milestone event, with its extensive international participation and the launch of a new global education campaign in collaboration with UNICEF. This initiative underscores the summit’s evolving role as a powerhouse for global humanitarian discourse and action, highlighted by its sideline events at the United Nations General Assembly and the Global Soft Power Summit.

As the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen continues to grow, it not only reinforces the importance of collaborative global action but also solidifies its position as a cornerstone of humanitarian diplomacy and soft power on the world stage.