Global Leaders Forge AI-Powered Alliances for Women at Landmark CSW70 Handshake Summit in New York

Global Leaders Forge AI-Powered Alliances for Women at Landmark CSW70 Handshake Summit in New York

Global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and advocates gathered in New York for the Handshake Summit & Awards during the seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, where over 200 participants forged strategic alliances aimed at advancing women’s influence and economic power through artificial intelligence and cross-sector collaboration.

Global Leaders Forge AI-Powered Alliances for Women at CSW70 Handshake Summit

The Handshake Summit & Awards convened prominent global leaders at the UN Church Center in New York during the seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, transforming calls for gender equality into concrete partnerships and action-oriented commitments.

Held under the theme “Advancing Women’s Influence in a Changing World,” the invite-only gathering brought together more than 200 influential figures from government, private sector institutions, development organizations, and civil society to forge collaborations aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and economic opportunities worldwide.

The summit built upon strong calls for gender equality earlier delivered at the United Nations. António Guterres emphasized that gender equality is fundamentally about power and warned that justice remains elusive for millions of women and girls globally. Similarly, Sima Bahous noted that the global push for women’s rights is unfolding amid multiple crises and increasing global fragmentation.

Against this backdrop, the summit sought to bridge the gap between global advocacy and practical solutions.

Nigeria’s POWA President Calls for Grassroots Impact

Delivering the opening remarks titled “From Intention to Alliance: The Architecture of the Global Handshake,” Her Excellency Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu underscored the importance of translating international commitments into community-level impact.

Disu, who leads the Police Officers' Wives Association (POWA), emphasized that the alliances formed at global forums must ultimately benefit families and communities on the ground.

She noted that POWA’s work focuses on compassion, service, and community development, adding that partnerships and economic empowerment initiatives for women remain central to her vision.

Summit Focuses on Technology and Economic Empowerment

Host of the summit, Ebaide Omiunu, described the gathering as a platform for moving beyond discussions to actionable agreements.

“Tonight, we move from intention to handshake, from advocacy to alliance,” Omiunu said, emphasizing that meaningful progress requires verifiable partnerships.

A highlight of the evening was the AI & Impact Showcase, where Crystal Renouf highlighted how prevention-centered artificial intelligence can help address systemic inequalities and protect women by transforming institutions from reactive crisis management to proactive prevention systems.

Experts Highlight Role of AI in Women’s Economic Power

A high-level panel titled “AI-Driven Climate Leadership and Deal-Making for Women’s Prosperity” examined how digital trust infrastructure can unlock capital for women-led ventures.

Moderated by systems innovator Chaste Inegbedion, the panel featured leaders from global institutions and companies who discussed how technology, financial systems, and policy can support women entrepreneurs and leaders.

Panelists stressed the importance of building interconnected digital ecosystems that allow women to access cross-border funding, scale their ventures, and participate fully in emerging global industries.

Human Connection Remains Central in Digital Age

Beyond technology, the summit also explored the human dimension of leadership. A fireside chat titled “The Human Residue” featured discussions on maintaining authentic human relationships in a rapidly digitizing world.

Speakers emphasized that while digital tools can expand opportunities, meaningful human connections remain essential for building trust, collaboration, and sustainable partnerships.

Handshake Awards Celebrate Global Women Leaders

The evening culminated in the Handshake Awards Ceremony, honoring distinguished leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing gender equality and global development.

Among the honorees was Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, recognized for her institutional leadership in advancing gender equality policies in Nigeria.

Other award recipients included diplomats, development experts, security leaders, and global advocates working across sectors to promote women’s empowerment, economic inclusion, and social justice.

Summit Ends with Commitment to Action

The event concluded with a call for concrete implementation of the partnerships and commitments announced during the summit.

Participants were encouraged to formalize collaborations through memoranda of understanding and letters of intent, as well as join working groups dedicated to tracking progress on initiatives aimed at empowering women globally.

With leaders from government, business, and civil society pledging tangible collaboration, organizers said the summit demonstrated how international cooperation, technology, and strategic partnerships can accelerate progress toward gender equality in an increasingly complex world.