FICFF - Fashion In a Conscious Future Foundation's Special Forum in the SDG Media Zone at the United Nations General Assembly 80th Session
Date: September 25, 2025, Thursday, 8:00 am - 10 :00 am
Venue: United Nations Headquarters, 405 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017
Checkpoint request:
UN security pass and ID request for safety check in
Security screening (airport-style) at the UN:
UN security pass and ID request for safety check in
RSVP: Open to FICFF Members Only — Friend, Advocate, Patron, and Partner Membership Tiers.
(RSVP closes on September 22.)
The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly
The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly – under the theme Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights – comes at a pivotal moment to renew global commitment to multilateralism, solidarity and shared action for people and planet.
This year’s high-level week highlights the urgency of delivering on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals and reinvigorating global cooperation.
Two key platforms will spotlight action and solutions: the flagship SDG Media Zone produced by the UN Department of Global Communications with dynamic interviews and panel discussions on SDG solutions held from 22–26 September; and the Goals Lounge, convened by the UN Deputy Secretary-General and hosted by the UN Office for Partnerships from 20-26 September, featuring unscripted dialogues, deep dives into vital issues and interactive experiences.
Ambassador Marco A. Suazo Fernandez
Taylen Biggs
Yitong Qin
Mark Jiang
Toby Usnik
Sarah Elbatanouny
Mr. Yitong Qin presents the certificate to Taylen Biggs
Group photo of guests
FICFF - Fashion In a Conscious Future Foundation's Special Forum in the SDG Media Zone at the United Nations General Assembly 80th Session — Empowering Change through Culture, Creativity & Technology
As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, the Fashion in a Conscious Future Foundation (FICFF) will host a special forum on September 25, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Centered on the theme “Empowering Change through Culture, Creativity & Technology,” the forum will bring together global thought leaders, industry experts, and partners to explore how fashion and cross-disciplinary innovation can advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Based in New York, FICFF is a nonprofit organization that uses fashion as a platform to drive progress in education, women’s empowerment, industry innovation, and climate action. Its flagship initiatives include:
- Stitching Dreams (Aesthetic Education for Children)
- Women Forward (Women’s Empowerment)
- Legacy in Craft (Preservation of Traditional Craftsmanship)
- Green Thread (Sustainable Innovation)
These programs have been implemented in multiple countries, including Honduras and Egypt, supporting vulnerable communities by fostering creativity and education as pathways to opportunity.
As an official part of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, this forum—organized in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)—will gather leaders and innovators from around the world to examine how culture, creativity, and technology can serve as new engines of social transformation. Together, participants will envision a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future.
SPEAKERS / PANELISTS
Follow us on ficff.org and @ficfff on Instagram for updates, as new speakers will continue to be announced.
Marco A. Suazo Fernandez
Head of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research New York Office (UNITAR-NYO)
Senior Advisor to the Executive Director of UNITAR
Sarah Farouk Elbatanouny
Co-Founder of TaiMoto
People & Operations Executive at One Strategy Group Advisors
Director of Partnership & Experience of the FICFF
Mark Jiang
Vice President, Global Online and Retail at Estée Lauder Companies
Founding member of the FICFF
Event Gallery
Agenda
PANEL 1: Youth, Culture, and Global Change
- Youth voices in the digital age: culture, creativity and technology for change
- Empowering youth through culture and digital innovation
- Empowering youth through creativity and arts education
- Bridging east and west: redefining global branding in a cross-cultural era
PANEL 2: Creativity, Responsibility, and Business for Good
- From local stories to global impact: creativity as a force for change
- AI and digital innovation in communications
- From Cairo to New York: A Global Perspective on Inclusive Growth and Women’s Empowerment
PARTNERSHIP
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Fashion in a Conscious Future Foundation (FICFF)
UNIPX GROUP