The work of the United Nations impacts people around the world on issues related to peace and security, development and human rights; from disarmament to efforts to combat terrorism and extremism; from conflict prevention to peacekeeping and peacebuilding; from disease prevention to the promotion of gender equality and universal education; from refugee resettlement to humanitarian assistance; from the rule of law to the fight against transnational crime.
During the 79th United Nations General Assembly session was held at UN Headquarters in New York from September 22-27, 2024, with a central theme of ‘Leaving no one behind: Collaborative efforts for peace, sustainable development, and human advancement for today’s and future generations.’ This prestigious assembly brought together more than 155 heads of state and government from UN member countries and prominent leaders from global and regional institutions. Global Peace Ambassador Dr. Hugues Sanon was a notable attendee, addressing several high-level side events to advocate for peace and sustainable development.
“During the 79th UNGA, as a global peace ambassador, Mr. Sanon’s primary objective is to underscore the imperative of allocating resources towards human well-being, infrastructure, technology, social services, promoting women’s empowerment and economic stability rather than towards chemical weapons, conflicts, illegal wars, human rights violations, and external interference, while fostering collaborative dialogue with heads of state, the private sector, and international organizations to advance peaceful conflict resolution and sustainable development,” he said.
At the 2024 World Leader Summit of Love and Peace in New York, held during UNGA79 on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 730 third Ave, New York Ambassador Dr. Hugues Sanon, Special Envoy of International Relations to the United Nations for Cojep International, presented a prestigious gift to Dr. Hong Tao-Tze. This gesture was complemented by official citations and recognition certificates extended by Honorable Senator George Borrello, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendell, and Assemblyman Andy Goodell. These honors were conferred within the framework of the Fowpal event, ‘Fostering Peace: Conscience, Love, and Hope in Action.’ Additionally, the summit facilitated the signing of the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope, securing international support from 172 countries.
Ambassador Sanon, an esteemed global peace leader and Special Envoy for COJEP International at the United Nations, recently received multiple notable awards, including the NB4HS Community Impact Award and the US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for surpassing 10,000 hours of service in 2024. Having been recognized by the US Senate and Congress for two decades of humanitarian work, Sanon was honored to ring the Bell of World Peace and Love in 2019, acknowledging Dr. Hong’s tireless global peace endeavors and commitment to empowering individuals through FOWPAL’s varied initiatives, promoting peace and service globally and traveled across 107 countries to foster sustainability and a peaceful world.
As noted by Sanon, Dr. Hong consistently advocates for global leaders and individuals to prioritize love, peace, and conscience as essential components of achieving success and sustainable development, highlighting a striking contrast to the prevailing despair and disillusionment among global leaders responding to current worldwide crises.
Hugues Sanon recognized for his steadfast commitment to promoting women’s empowerment and economic stability, exemplified by his participation in sideline events during the 79th UNGA to highlight women’s pivotal roles in global economic development, particularly within African contexts.
During the World leaders’ summit held on September 23, in New York, Ambassador Hugues Sanon held a productive meeting with His Excellency Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, Former President of Trinidad and Tobago and Judge of the International Criminal Court for the United Nations, to discuss Haiti’s challenging situation and advocate for reparations due to the country’s historical exploitation. He articulates deep regret for Haiti’s prolonged struggle for peace and justice, denouncing the assassination of President Jovenel Moise and, as an international lawyer, recognizing Haiti’s historical injustices, while lauding the nation’s revolutionary heroes, including Dessalines, Toussaint Louverture, and Petion.
Mr. Sanon had the honor to engage with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Hon Bar Uju Kennedy at the World Leaders Summit hosted by Fowpal to explore innovative initiatives to combat women and children abuse and trafficking, and secure funding for women-owned small-scale ventures to reduce poverty, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth in Africa and particularly in Nigeria.
Also, the International Forum on African-Caribbean Leadership, under Dr. Ken Giami’s leadership, assembled at the Harvard Club of New York on September 24, 2024, where Global Peace Ambassador Hugues Sanon and his wife, top model Emmanuella Sanon, were invited to join prominent heads of state, UN Ambassadors, policymakers, and private sector leaders to discuss ways to empower Africa.
During his presentation, Ambassador Sanon praised IFAL’s dedication to driving economic growth in Africa, emphasizing its significant global impact and the imperative for permanent UN Security Council representation. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to achieve this goal.
As representative of Cojep International, accredited to the UN, UNESCO, and the European Parliament, Ambassador Sanon conferred the Global Distinguished Leadership Award upon Honorable Reta JO Lewis, recognizing her outstanding leadership in addressing pressing global issues and commitment to sustainable African development.
This esteemed recognition underscored the critical need for effective leadership in addressing escalating global challenges, including discrimination, conflict, environmental degradation, human rights violations, wars, and climate change.
The mismanagement of natural resources disproportionately impacts Africa and developing nations, necessitating visionary leadership from distinguished individuals like Honorable Reta JO Lewis, President and Chairman of the US EXIM Bank; Mr. Sanon Said.
“Honorable Lewis’s numerous trips to Africa, exceeding eight, have fostered meaningful relationships with government, private sector, and community leaders, positioning her to address financial challenges and drive sustainable development across the region”. Added, Mr. Sanon
Additionally, a high-level discussion took place between Ambassador Hugues Sanon, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, representing Kaduna South, exploring opportunities to foster business, infrastructure, trade, and corporate investments among African investors to promote Nigeria’s economic development.
Furthermore, At the Millennium Hotel One UN Plaza on September 24, 2024, Ambassador Sanon engaged in discussions with Todd De Luca, Founder and CEO of Pulse Friday LLC, during AITE’s Business Trade and Investment Summit, themed ‘Transformative Public Policies.’ The conversation centered on Pulse’s initiatives promoting global sustainability, notably POWERDOME, a zero-carbon alternative to fossil fuels launched in 2020. Ambassador Sanon emphasized the importance of leveraging innovation to modernize power infrastructure in Haiti and specific African nations, aligning with Pulse’s focus on environmental and humanitarian impacts.
Mr. Todd has assured Ambassador Hugues Sanon of his commitment to supporting Haiti’s stabilization efforts and plans to undertake another humanitarian visit to assess potential collaboration opportunities for his organization to provide aid.
