Clinton Global Initiative launching network to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainians

by Sarah Fortinsky - 09/18/23 8:59 AM ET

FILE - Former President Bill Clinton speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in New York. The Clinton Global Initiative 2023 will convene “leaders, innovators and dreamers” – ranging from World Bank President Ajay Banga and The Bahamas’ Prime Minister Philip E. Davis to Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres and Ford Foundation CEO Darren Walker, as well as A-list actors Orlando Bloom, Matt Damon, and Ashley Judd – in New York on Sept. 18 and 19. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File) — FILE – Former President Bill Clinton speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in New York. The Clinton Global Initiative 2023 will convene “leaders, innovators and dreamers” – ranging from World Bank President Ajay Banga and The Bahamas’ Prime Minister Philip E. Davis to Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres and Ford Foundation CEO Darren Walker, as well as A-list actors Orlando Bloom, Matt Damon, and Ashley Judd – in New York on Sept. 18 and 19. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File)

The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) is set to launch a network to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainians, one day after beginning its annual conference in New York on Monday.

CGI Ukraine Action Network will be officially announced Tuesday, The Associated Press reported. The network is a product of a collaboration between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska.

The AP reported that several financial pledges are also set to be announced in conjunction with Tuesday’s initiative launch.

CGI is convening its annual conference in New York on Monday and Tuesday and will bring together leaders from countries throughout the world to support his year’s theme of “keep going.”

Pope Francis will discuss climate change with former President Clinton to open the conference Monday.

Other U.S. public officials set to appear include Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D). U.S. media figures taking part include Dana Perino, a Fox News Channel anchor, and Jen Psaki, who hosts a show on MSNBC.

Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Google President Ruth Porat, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair and Guyana President Irfaan Ali are also all set to participate.

In a July letter to CGI community members, the Clintons described the meeting as focusing on “what it takes to keep going — to maintain and advance progress, in spite of the difficulties that arise, and increase our capacity to cross the divides and make common cause with one another wherever possible to build a stronger future for all.”

The meeting will address climate change, health inequities, food insecurity, economic inequality, democracy around the world, and refugees, the letter said. Members will try to find ways to “channel energy and investment to scale solutions that are already improving people’s lives, and explore how tools like [artificial intelligence] can be responsibly harnessed for good.”

“As always, the focus will be on what we can do, not what we can’t — and will highlight how even seemingly small actions, when taken together, can turn the tide on even our most stubborn challenges,” they wrote.