This year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began on September 10, 2024 in New York City with a focus on pressing global issues, including climate change, economic inequality, antimicrobial resistance, and geopolitical tensions. The UN Summit of the Future was also held during this time to address the vital need for progression of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Read more about AMWA’s participation during the Summit.

Dr. Padmini Murthy, AMWA Global Health Lead, and Dr. Connie Newman, MWIA Vice President of North America and AMWA Past President, represented AMWA at the UN General Assembly offered AMWA opportunities to meet global health leaders from around the world, including health ministers, advocates, and government officials.

Chelsea Clinton (L) and Dr. Padmini Murthy (R)

Dr. Murthy (L) and Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Gambia Minister for Health

Dr. Murthy (L) with Dr. Uju Kennedy Minister for Women Nigeria (C)

Dr. Murthy (L), Foreign Minister of Mongolia (R)

Dr. Murthy (L) with Dr Hanan Balky, WHO EMRO

 

AMWA co-hosted two side events during the UNGA. On September 24, Dr. Connie Newman, MWIA Vice President of North America and AMWA Past President, organized the first side event in partnership with the Medical Women’s International Association, New York University, and Lehigh University–Voices of Future Generations: The benefits and risks of technology, AI, digital education/literacy and their relationship to peace, security, and gender equality. The diverse speaker panel, which included MWIA President Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi and Dr. Mariam Jashi, represented multiple sectors and ages, providing a robust discussion of both the benefits and challenges of AI and the importance of education to promote digital literacy.

L-R: Dr. Mariam Jashi, Dr. Connie Newman, Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi, Dr. Bev Johnson

Dr. Mariam Jashi (L) and Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi (R)

On September 27, Dr. Padmini Murthy, AMWA’s Global Health Lead co-organized an event to address Antimicrobial Resistance (in partnership with Operation Smile and other supporting organizations): Anti-Microbial Resistance: An Ongoing Public Health Challenge. This event featured the First Lady of the Bahamas, H.E. Madam Ann-Marie Davis, the First Lady of Suriname, H.E. Mellisa Santokhi-Seenacherry, and health leaders from Sweden, Peru, Vietnam, and the United States.

H.E. Ann Marie Davis, First Lady of the Bahamas

H.E. Mellisa Santokhi-Seenacherry, First Lady of Suriname

Dr. Maria Bucco and Aishu

AMWA Leaders with H.E. Ann Marie Davis, First Lady of the Bahamas

AMWA Leaders L-R: Dr. Roxana Lazarescu, Dr. Yasmin Khakoo, Dr. Maria Bucco, Dr. Bharati Deka, Dr. Rangita Sengupta

 

Gender equality and education were also key themes during the UNGA. UN Women launched two important reports, the 2024 Generation Equality Accountability Report and Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2024.