Saturday 25 September 2021

The Sussexes Meet UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed

Ahead of Global Citizen Live later today, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the United Nations to meet Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.

The Duke and Duchess arriving with members of their team.

A very warm welcome for the couple. The Deputy Secretary-General revealed the meeting focused on "how to engage on issues we care about deeply: climate action, women’s economic empowerment, mental well-being, youth engagement and vaccine equity".

The United Nations General Assembly is currently taking place in New York. The annual gathering serves as the main policymaking and representative of the UN. World leaders, philanthropic figures and politicians gather to "to discuss, debate, and make recommendations on subjects pertaining to international peace and security, including development, disarmament, human rights, and international law". The pandemic and vaccination are very much at the forefront of this year's assembly.

The Deputy Secretary-General previously served as Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where she was at the forefront of the country's climate and environment efforts. She joined the United Nations in 2012 as Special Adviser to former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, with responsibility for post-2015 development planning. Ms Mohammed was heavily involved in securing a global agreement around the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals. She is a mother of six with two grandchildren, and has been a vocal advocate for girls and women.


The timing of the assembly perfectly coincided with Harry and Meghan's meetings in their roles as co-chairs of Global Citizen Live, and afforded them the opportunity to meet both the Deputy Secretary-General and US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Separately, a number of leaders from the World Health Organisation and GAVI (the vaccine alliance) were in New York, allowing for a collaborative and insightful roundtable with a number of people the Sussexes have been speaking with since the pandemic began.

Before Meghan met Harry, she served as UN Women's advocate for political participation. A standout moment was her memorable speech at the 2015 UN International Women's Conference. Meghan received a standing ovation from the audience, which included Ban Ki-moon, for her powerful words on gender equality, and also featured in a PSA in her role for the UN. I do think we'll see another role for the Duchess with the UN, or perhaps an Archewell-UN collaboration in the near future.

The UN press office added: "The Deputy Secretary-General welcomed the commitment of the Duke and the Duchess as well as their work towards the Sustainable Development Goals." As the couple left, Meghan said the meeting was "lovely".

It comes after Prince Harry held a meeting with the President of Angola in his role as President of African Parks yesterday evening. Their conversation covered several topics, including demining and environmental issues. They also celebrated the government's decision to sign a twenty-year agreement to finance and rehabilitate Angola’s Luengue-Luiana and Mavinga National Parks. The non-profit conservation organisation manages nineteen national parks and protected areas in 11 countries covering over 14.7 million hectares.

Meghan was effortlessly chic in a tan and tobacco brown ensemble. 

What Meghan Wore identified the coat as Max Mara's Lilia Belted Cashmere coat. The piece features a spread collar, self-tie belted waist and side patch pockets. It's available at Neiman Marcus and 24s.


What Meghan Wore also suggests the Duchess wore a silk crepe shirt and camel wide leg pants by Max Mara. 


A reminder -- we'll see the couple in just a few hours for Global Citizen Live!

15 comments:

  1. I really, really hope that Madame Duchess Meghan starts working again with UNWomen!

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    1. Lauri,
      I agree! She accomplishes so much and she is so admired, she could move mountains for UNWomen.
      Renee

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  2. Thrilled to see they are forming partnerships and their work also addresses the SDGs- I can hardly wait to see their future endeavours and the outcomes of these partnerships and ideas. The outfits are equally beautiful. Love it all!

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  3. I am a fan of both Harry and Meghan, and I think they do get unnecessary criticism. However, I don’t think Meghan is doing herself any favors with the 10s of thousands of dollars in jewelry and clothing…I know they made a very nice donation, but her outfits have been worth more than that donation each day she’s been in NYC. Still love them! But I’m just saying…

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    1. I felt similarly, Nicole - she looks beautiful and I know she's working with a post-baby figure, but $$$! -op

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    2. That would be me in my $350 breathable rain jacket, $130 sturdy hiking shoes, and other expensive outdoors clothes working in E. African displacement camps. Very hypocritical of me and yes you should probably flail me endlessly. But I like to be warm (yes it gets cold in the highlands), dry, and cool when it’s muggy and 40C. I also get a small stipend for my work, get better shelter, reliable food and clean water, some security- though pretty dodgy as I’ve had to stitch up a few colleagues from attacks and weathered through aerial and roadside bombings.

      I think this type of complaint, while understandable as we all love to hate the rich hypocrites as reflected in tabloid culture, froths up the blood and gnashes the teeth. Grrrrrr…the winter of our discontent….and all that. The real me loves it when Kate gets dressed up in her full princess armor. The same for the other royals like Sophie and the princesses. Meghan is off the the people’ tab now and paying for her own trews. Even a better look.

      Meghan wears her trousers and dares to eat a peach.

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  4. I just love seeing what M&H have been planning. I wondered at first about her earlier meeting that include Chelsea Clinton but then I realized that Chelsea runs her family foundation and has an interest in public health -- one of her degrees is a MPH. Meghan's outfit today is beautiful -- the colors and fabrics are just lovely. I hope she has been able to catch with some friends between outings.

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  5. Seeing Meghan and Harry like this makes me very happy. They are serious, smart, committed, professional advocates for global change. Meghan is now able to function at her level of competence, rather than as the diminished poser she was required to be in the Royal Family. I cannot express enough how happy I am to see this. Harry, too, can now function at a level not previously available to him.

    Meghan and Harry are very serious about all the issues they see, are willing to learn from those in the know and with power to affect change, and very willing to contribute whatever they can. They are and will be a significant force for change.

    Thank you, Charlotte.

    R

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    1. That's a good way of putting it. I think the royals generally do their jobs very well but there's a lot of evidence that it can be a crushing system to those within it. Meghan had so many interests that had to be curtailed for the sake of the Firm's hierarchy, and I am really excited to see what she and Harry do in the next few years.

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  6. I am loving her monochromatic business looks! That’s power dressing!

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  7. I noticed that they brought their own film crew into this meeting which makes me wonder if we might be seeing some behind-the-scenes conversations on Archewell?? I would love to see a video or photo montage from their perspective on this trip.

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    1. I saw a report in page 6 that opined they're filming footage for Netflix doc (no way to confirm but interesting) -op

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  8. Lovely looks and such significant engagements!

    On a fashion note - does any one know where her mask is from? I love the scalloped sides!

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  9. Oh my how I wish the duchess will work on UN again she will be touching for life's again there no need to touch the fashion

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  10. Really liking Meghan's flowing pantsuit looks, also liked a Valentino mini dress. She's got expensive taste - all these cashmere looks! Looks great, so good to see her and Harry looking happy and highlighting good things! -op

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