FICFF – Fashion in a Conscious Future Foundation Hosts Special Forum at the 80th United Nations General Assembly

The forum convened distinguished leaders across diplomacy, business, industry, and youth communities, including:

• Ambassador Marco A. Suazo Fernandez, Head of the UNITAR New York Office and Senior Advisor to the Executive Director
• Taylen Biggs, 12-year-old media personality and fashion correspondent
• Yitong Qin, Founder & CEO of UNIPX Group and Founder & Chair of the FICFF Foundation
• Toby Usnik, Advisor to FICFF, Host of The Caring Economy podcast, and former Head of Communications at the British Consulate General in New York
• Mark Jiang, Vice President of Online and Retail at The Estée Lauder Companies and Founding Member of FICFF
• Sarah Farouk Elbatanouny, Co-Founder of TaiMoto, FICFF Director of Partnerships & Experiences, and former Chief People Officer of JFK International Airport’s New Terminal One project

Opening Remarks

In his opening speech, Yitong Qin emphasized: “Culture, creativity, and technology are vital bridges that connect the world. This forum is not only a celebration of creativity and innovation but also a call to action: to work together across borders, industries, and generations to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

Fashion as Narrative, Creativity as Superpower

The first roundtable, “Youth, Culture, and Global Transformation,” featured Ambassador Suazo, Taylen Biggs, and Yitong Qin.

Ambassador Suazo, a career diplomat with over 27 years of service at the UN across diverse fields, underscored the pivotal role of youth in shaping the future: “We are working to respond to the challenges of a rapidly changing world in a people-centered way. At the United Nations, we place great importance on the development of young people, because they are the true driving force for moving the world forward.”

Representing the younger generation, Taylen Biggs—a 12-year-old fashion correspondent and media personality with over 3 million social media followers—spoke about her vision: “For me, fashion is not just about clothing. It is confidence, it is narrative, it is how you present yourself to the world. I want young people to understand that fashion is not just about what we wear, but about who we are and what we stand for. Fashion has become a tool for positive change.”

Having covered international fashion weeks, red carpets, and major cultural events, Taylen has earned recognition from designers, celebrities, and media alike for her sharp perspective and authentic voice. She added: “Our generation understands that creativity also means responsibility. What we wear and how we present ourselves are statements of identity and belief. Even at my age, I know fashion can spark conversations—about culture, family, and the meaning of life. Creativity is our superpower.”

In response, Yitong Qin affirmed Taylen’s perspective, stressing the importance of empowering youth through education: “Education shapes the future. When young people are inspired and supported, they understand that learning is the key to opening the doors of a better tomorrow.” As an experienced cross-cultural brand strategist, Qin further emphasized: “Cross-cultural exchange is crucial to both social progress and business success. To thrive in global markets, one must deeply understand the culture, cuisine, and communities of other nations. Such cultural insight is the driving force for sustainable growth.”

Responsible Use of AI to Enhance Human Potential

The second roundtable, “Creativity, Responsibility, and Business for Good,” featured Mark Jiang, Toby Usnik, and Sarah Elbatanouny.

A global expert in luxury beauty, brand strategy, and digital business, Mark Jiang shared insights from over 25 years of international brand management and consumer marketing: “Creativity is not only about aesthetics—it’s about rethinking business models. For instance, some companies are redesigning packaging to reduce waste or repurposing byproducts into resources that nourish the soil.”

He further drew from his work with Colombian coffee farmers, highlighting how global digital storytelling can simultaneously expand brand influence and drive sustainable growth. This set the stage for Toby Usnik’s perspective as a long-time thought leader in corporate responsibility, communications, and AI.

Usnik noted the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence: “Technology itself is neutral—it can serve humanity or be misused. If we, as responsible leaders, embrace AI with purpose, it can become a powerful force for good. This is not only the responsibility of CEOs or policymakers, but of all of us. We must actively ensure AI benefits society.”

He continued: “AI has the potential to free us from repetitive tasks, giving us more time to create, to imagine, and to connect. If used responsibly, it will greatly enhance human potential and accelerate social progress.”

Shifting the discussion back to people, Sarah Elbatanouny emphasized: “Education and awareness are always the first step.” Drawing from her experience in global talent strategy and operations, she explained: “Inclusivity can even begin with something as simple as a job description. By examining organizational policies, we can see whether women and marginalized groups are truly welcomed.” She also stressed the importance of cross-cultural understanding in overcoming bias and shared: “I’ve witnessed firsthand how exchange programs and dialogue initiatives can build bridges, deepen understanding, and foster collaboration among diverse communities.”

Recognizing the Next Generation: Taylen Biggs Named FICFF Youth Ambassador for Fashion and Creativity

At the forum, Yitong Qin formally presented Taylen Biggs with a certificate appointing her as FICFF Youth Ambassador for Fashion and Creativity, recognizing her talent and influence as a rising voice in the global creative industries.

This honor reflects not only her growing impact in fashion and media but also the essential role of youth voices in driving cultural exchange and sustainable development. Through this appointment, FICFF aims to further inspire and support young people worldwide to engage in creativity with responsibility, becoming bridges of cross-cultural dialogue, drivers of sustainable development, and agents of global change.

Looking ahead, the FICFF Foundation will continue building platforms for youth to express their creativity, take meaningful action, and contribute tangible outcomes that bring lasting positive impact to the world. The foundation firmly believes that the younger generation is shaping the future in unprecedented ways—their voices, choices, and actions are fueling innovation, advancing inclusivity, and energizing the global sustainable development agenda.

Conclusion

As a key highlight of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, this forum brought together leaders, experts, and youth representatives from across sectors and generations. Through dialogue on culture, creativity, and technology, it showcased the power of collaboration that transcends boundaries and eras.

The FICFF Foundation will continue to leverage this momentum, uniting global partners to drive youth empowerment, foster industry innovation, and embrace technology and creativity responsibly. Together, FICFF aims to contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to co-create a more inclusive, sustainable, and hopeful future.