At the UN, First Lady Zelenska Unveils a Global Resilience Dictionary Drawing from 38 Nations’ Experiences

Event at the United Nations Headquarters

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Hosted at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the event brought together delegates from 21 countries and was organized by the Global Platform of the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen. Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, introduced the "Global Resilience Dictionary," a comprehensive collection of insights and strategies contributed by 38 countries worldwide. This initiative continues the discussions initiated at the sixth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen held in Kyiv.

The gathering coincided with the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, under the theme "World 2026: Finding Strength in Uncertain Times. A Mosaic of Experiences." During the event, Zelenska shared Ukraine’s unique philosophy of resilience, known as sophianism. The audience included several first ladies and spouses of prime ministers, among them:

• Ann Marie Davis from the Bahamas
• Lisette del Cid from Honduras
• Sophie von Liechtenstein
• Noura Al Suwaidi from the UAE
• Tamara Vučić from Serbia
• Tausaga Teo from Tuvalu
• Emily Lalabalavu from Fiji

Representatives from UNICEF and UN Women were also in attendance.

“Every nation and community holds its own distinct experience with resilience. Our Summit created a platform where 38 countries worldwide shared their knowledge and practices in the 'Global Resilience Dictionary.'” - Olena Zelenska

The event was co-organized by a diverse group of first ladies and partners, including:

• Olena Zelenska
• Doris Schmidauer from Austria
• Rossana Briseño from Belize
• Nathalie Willett-Wadani from Benin
• Marilena Urquidi from Bolivia
• Diana Fox Carney from Canada
• Sirje Karis from Estonia
• Lucrecia Peinado from Guatemala
• Diana Nausėdienė from Lithuania
• Lydia Abela from Malta
• Maricelle Cohen de Molino from Panama
• Mirabela Gredinaru from Romania
• Urška Bačovnik Janša from Slovenia
• Delthia Russell-Mizik from Turks and Caicos Islands

The "Global Resilience Dictionary" will continue to be updated digitally, reflecting ongoing advancements and the integration of new experiences. President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in New York on September 22 to participate in the 81st UN General Assembly session.

This forum served as a vital platform for exchanging knowledge among countries confronting contemporary global challenges. The presentation of the "Global Resilience Dictionary" emphasizes the critical role of international cooperation in overcoming shared difficulties. Furthermore, it highlights Ukraine’s proactive engagement on the world stage, where collaboration and knowledge exchange are essential for resilience and sustainable development amid ongoing global crises.

As the discussions on global resilience continue to evolve, the recent introduction of 'sophiynism' at the UN General Assembly highlights Ukraine's unique contribution to this vital dialogue. This concept, shared among the 38 nations, emphasizes the diverse strategies for overcoming challenges, reinforcing the idea that resilience is a collective journey shaped by various experiences. By understanding these perspectives, nations can foster stronger communities in uncertain times.