Laura Powers

Program Officer @Pathfinders. Previously @idlo @newsweek and @ipinst. Cat, wine and fantasy novel enthusiast. UN nerd. A New Yorker born in California.

[Pathfinders @SDG16Plus]

Happening tomorrow ▶️ ​​@APRMorg–@UNOSAA1–Pathfinders #VNR Lab!

🔎This in-person roundtable will offer a focused space on “leveraging synergies across #Agenda2030, #Agenda2063, and #APRM review processes.”

➕ Learn more: https://t.co/kQwyQi6ook

💬 Speakers include:
▫️Amb. @APRM_MarieRose, CEO, APRM Continental Secretariat
▫️Ms. @alberti_adriana, Chief, Programme Management and Capacity Development, Institutions and Digital Government, @UNDESA
▫️H.E. Mr Ismaël Nabé, Minister of Planning, Development, and International Cooperation; @MpciGov Republic of Guinea
▫️Dr. Ousmane Kante, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation of Good Governance Policies, Ministry of Justice, National APRM Permanent Secretary; Republic of Senegal
▫️Ms. @DeAissata, Deputy Regional Director, @UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa
▫️Mr. @AdamJeanPaul, Director for Policy, Monitoring and Advocacy, @UNOSAA1
▫️Ms. @neemalugangira, Secretary General, @WPLeadersOrg
▫️Mr. Ba Bocar Abdoulaye, Vice President; @PYU_UPJ
▫️Dr. Jyotsna Mohan, Advocacy Officer; @Forus_Int
▫️Ms. Oyebanke Abejirin, Senior Economic Officer, @ECA_OFFICIAL
▫️Ms. Maggie Williams, Associate Director, SDG16+; @sdg16plus, @nyucic
▫️Dr. Alfon Wittbeen, Director of Operations, APRM National Secretariat, Namibia (Moderator)

#HLPF2026

[Pathfinders @SDG16Plus]

🌍 UNGA80: A Crossroads for Peace, Justice and Inclusion

At the 80th UN General Assembly, world leaders face converging crises—inequality, debt, conflict, climate change, and eroding trust in institutions. But there is a path forward.

Only 35% of the SDGs are on track, with SDG16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions) among those most off course. Yet it remains the key to accelerating progress across all goals—from reducing violence to closing the global justice gap.

At UNGA80—and beyond—Pathfinders is working with governments and partners to ensure commitments on financing, civic space, democratic resilience, gender equality, and digital inclusion are translated into action that delivers for people.

The message is clear: investing in peace, justice, and inclusion is not optional—it’s the foundation of sustainable development.

👉 Read the full statement of the Pathfinders Secretariat:
https://t.co/T2HY2a2tZX.

#UNGA80 #SDG16 #SDG16Plus #Peace #Justice #Inclusion #Multilateralism

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

Thank you so much to colleagues at the missions of Colombia and RoK for facilitating this statement. And thank you to all Pathfinders countries for continue to champion peace, justice and inclusion!

[Pathfinders @SDG16Plus]

📣 Statement presented by H.E. Mr. Juan José Quintana Aranguren, @MisionONUCol at #HLPF20254 on behalf of the Pathfinders member states, co-facilitated by Colombia 🇨🇴 and & @ROK_Mission.🇰🇷

Read & watch the full statement 📜: https://t.co/YvaO68BcHz

#SDGs #SDG16

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

Happening Now! @TAPNetwork2030 and @BahaiBIC hosting the #SDG16Now campaign workshop at the #UNCSC in Nairobi. Looking forward to the conversation on peace, justice and inclusion.

[International Development Law Organization @IDLO]

.@IDLO joins the discussion @ #UNGA @UN_PGA to identify ways of more meaningful engagement of youth. Information & communication technologies & social media allow the views of a much more diverse group of young women and people to be heard. @UNYouthEnvoy

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

Amb Craft continues push against SRH, "I must note that we cannot accept references to 'sexual and reproductive health,' nor any references to 'safe termination of pregnancy' or language that would promote abortion or suggest a right to abortion."
https://t.co/KXU8xvq01B

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

@AnthonyHaynes88 Telling people to evacuate before there is a evacuation note is extremely dangerous. This is not a good idea the spread this information.

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

I hope this doesn't get swept under the rug because of the Trump "lynching" scandal. His comments are horrific and should be called out as such but they shouldn't overshadow this important (and extremely concerning) development in Syria.

[The New York Times @nytimes]

Breaking News: Russia and Turkey agreed to joint control over formerly Kurdish territory in Syria, cementing Russia's sway in the region as the U.S. pulls back
https://t.co/wptXct9bcx

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

Venezuela elected to the same Council that launched a fact-finding mission investigating alleged human rights abuses in the country. https://t.co/A5fbw5Pv3I

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

Disappointed that I couldn't make it to IAPTC for this discussion, but very happy to see Robert Gordon on the panel. Improving training for peacekeeping (especially senior leadership) is vital to responding to complex crises.

[IAPTC @IAPTC_Assoc]

2nd day of the #25IAPTC commences with a distinguished panel on “Training 4 Leadership” @LuisCarrilhoPC @CoESPU_News @bjornpholmberg , session is moderated by @Swelamiat @CairoPeaceKeep

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

@goodreads Education of an Idealist by Samantha Power. I'm going in quarantine until I finish it.

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

Happy I got a chance to cover this important development. Thank you to @loucharbon for the comments.
https://t.co/uGnKoTuBGX

[Cary Elwes @Cary_Elwes]

There’s a shortage of perfect movies in this world. It would be a pity to damage this one.

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

“There is little evidence the UN senior staff consider senior leadership training a necessity”. Wonderful to hear comments from my colleague and co-author Kevin Kennedy on our recent report on senior leadership training in peace operations.

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

Very proud of my new paper from @ipinst on training for senior leadership in peace operations. With the UN reforms and #A4P, now is a perfect time to address how we select, prepare and train our leadership for #peaceops.
Read it here: https://t.co/NfDgI3ibju

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

Excited for my colleagues @lesleyconnolly3 and @FortiD on their recent publication on the #liberia #transition of #UNMIL. Assisting in this research in Monrovia was a wonderful experience and the result is quite impressive. Congratulations!

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

The #youth4peace agenda applies to all countries, including the United States. Voting in elections is one very important way that young people have agency to enact positive change in their society. USE IT!

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

Honored to facilitate the discussion around youth-led peacebuilding at todays event. Youth are often marginalized, and both governments and the international community don't sufficiently recognize the agency of youth peacebuilders. tt was great to discuss solutions!

[Intl Peace Institute @ipinst]

Our talkback had a number of key takeaways, including:

▪️Need to move away from competition
▪️Building upon existing local resiliency
▪️Breaking down negative perceptions of youth
▪️Donor flexibility
▪️Regional org support
▪️Overcoming sense of hopelessness

#peoplepower4peace

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

On #InternationalDayoftheGirl this video still resonates with me. Growing up I identified with the Spice Girls and their #girlpower movement. Let's listen to what girls want because #TheFutureIsFemale
https://t.co/5TD7KF4h6m

[Laura Powers @lepowers918]

More African heads of state attended China's Africa Summit than #UNGA
Is this indicative of the waning relationship between the UN and Africa, or most a symbol of the growing partnerships between African countries and China? https://t.co/LetjcqJHIJ