Melania Trump Expands Fostering the Future Together Coalition to 57 Nations

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday reconvened members of her Fostering the Future Together initiative in New York during the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, announcing new technology partnerships, international events and an expansion of the coalition to 57 participating countries.

The gathering brought together representatives from countries including the United Kingdom, South Korea, the Philippines, Poland, Ukraine, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Panama and Canada, according to the White House.

“Together, we are a beautiful range of cultures, languages, histories, and traditions,” Trump said. “And yet, we stand unified around one everlasting truth: the future of our world will be determined by what we do for our children today.”

Fostering the Future Together is described by the White House as a global coalition focused on empowering children through technology and education. Trump said the initiative is intended to provide young people with opportunities to learn, create and develop skills for the future.

New International Events Announced

Trump announced several Fostering the Future Together events planned for 2026.

They include a G20 event in Miami, which Trump plans to host, an ASEAN conference in Manila hosted by Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, a European regional meeting hosted by Polish First Lady Marta Nawrocka, and a Caribbean regional meeting hosted by Saint Kitts and Nevis First Lady Diani Prince-Drew. “These leaders have stepped forward to activate their regions,” Trump said, adding that the initiative would provide support for their efforts.

Representatives and participants from countries around the world attend the Fostering the Future Together gathering in New York. Photo: KHABOR

Technology Partnerships

The First Lady also announced new private-sector partnerships involving Adobe, Amazon, Intel, Starlink, Google and Zoom. The companies are being brought into the initiative as part of its focus on expanding children’s access to technology and education. Tim Cook, executive chairman of Apple, and Enrique Lores, CEO of HP, also attended the gathering, according to the White House.

Trump emphasized that access to technology alone does not constitute empowerment and called for young people to be taught how to use technological tools responsibly and effectively.

“We must give our children the tools—and teach them how to use those tools wisely,” she said.

Focus on Technology and Education

In her remarks, Trump highlighted the rapid development of artificial intelligence and other technologies, describing the current period as a major technological transformation. She cited technologies including artificial intelligence, video communications, mobile computing, autonomous vehicles, virtual environments and biometric identification as examples of technologies that have moved from the realm of science fiction into everyday life.

She also called on participating countries and technology companies to help young people develop the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

“Our Fostering the Future Together coalition must strive to empower the youth of our nations to bend the boundaries of imagination, explore new frontiers of intellect, have the courage to take calculated risks, and build toward advancement of society,” Trump said.

Coalition Expands to 57 Countries

The White House said the initiative now includes 57 participating nations. Trump said the coalition’s long-term purpose is to create opportunities for children regardless of where they are born. Fostering the Future Together was announced during the 80th UN General Assembly in 2025. According to the White House, Trump subsequently convened the initiative’s inaugural Global Coalition Summit in Washington in spring 2026, bringing together first spouses and technology-sector leaders.

The latest gathering took place during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week in New York. The United Nations says the general debate of the 81st session is being held from September 22 to 26 and again on September 28.

Trump said the initiative’s success should ultimately be measured by its impact on future generations rather than by the meetings and speeches themselves. “Years from now, our children may not remember the meetings we held or the speeches we gave. But they will live with the consequences of what we do here,” she said.




Zubaida Rahman Attends Melania Trump’s ‘Fostering the Future Together’ Event in New York

Shibbir Ahmed — Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, attended U.S. First Lady Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future Together” gathering Tuesday at The St. Regis New York, joining an international group focused on children’s education, technology, digital skills and online safety. Dr. Zubaida Rahman attended the Manhattan event at the invitation of Melania Trump, highlighting Bangladesh’s continuing engagement with the international initiative as the United States hosts a new gathering of participating First Spouses and leaders during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The event brought together international participants and private-sector partners to discuss ways to expand opportunities for children through education, technology and responsible digital innovation. Melania Trump has made children’s education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence and online safety central themes of the Fostering the Future Together initiative.

For Bangladesh, Dr. Zubaida’s participation marks a continuation of her involvement in the initiative. She previously took part in the inaugural Fostering the Future Together: Global Coalition Summit in Washington, D.C., in March 2026, also at Melania Trump’s invitation. The two-day summit brought together First Ladies and spouses of leaders from more than 45 countries.

During the March summit, Dr. Zubaida addressed issues surrounding children’s welfare, education, healthcare and the responsible use of technology. She highlighted Bangladesh’s initiatives related to family support, education and healthcare and emphasized the potential of artificial intelligence and digital learning to help reduce educational disparities.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, attends U.S. First Lady Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future Together” event at The St. Regis New York on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Photo: KHABOR

She also met Melania Trump during the Washington summit. According to reports from the March event, the two discussed cooperation on initiatives aimed at improving children’s welfare.

Dr. Zubaida’s presence in New York comes as she accompanies Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during his visit to the United States for the 81st UN General Assembly. The prime minister and his wife arrived in New York on September 22, with Zubaida traveling as part of his delegation.

The New York gathering also reflects the expansion of Melania Trump’s initiative beyond its inaugural Washington summit. The coalition has increasingly focused on partnerships involving education technology, artificial intelligence, digital skills and online protection, with governments, First Spouses and private-sector organizations participating in the effort.

For Bangladesh, Dr. Zubaida Rahman’s participation in both the March Washington summit and Tuesday’s New York gathering places the country within an international dialogue centered on the future, education and well-being of children.




Melania Trump Expands Global Coalition for Children at UN General Assembly

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — U.S. First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday announced an expansion of her Fostering the Future Together initiative, bringing together representatives from 57 countries and unveiling new international events and private-sector technology partnerships focused on children’s education and access to technology. The announcement came during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Trump reconvened members of the coalition and welcomed representatives from countries including the United Kingdom, South Korea, the Philippines, Poland, Ukraine, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Panama and Canada.

“Together, we are a beautiful range of cultures, languages, histories, and traditions. And yet, we stand unified around one everlasting truth: the future of our world will be determined by what we do for our children today,” Trump said.

Fostering the Future Together was launched by Trump during the 80th UN General Assembly in September 2025 as a global coalition aimed at promoting children’s education, technology access and digital safety. The White House says the initiative focuses on the use of advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to support children, educators and parents while addressing online risks.

The coalition held its inaugural two-day global summit in Washington in March, bringing together first spouses or equivalent leaders from 45 countries and technology-sector representatives. The White House described the gathering as the largest international assembly of its kind hosted by a U.S. first lady at the White House.

At Tuesday’s event, Trump announced several upcoming regional and international gatherings. They include a G20 event to be hosted by Trump in Miami in December, an ASEAN conference hosted by Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos in Manila, a European regional meeting hosted by Polish First Lady Marta Nawrocka, and a Caribbean regional meeting hosted by Saint Kitts and Nevis First Lady Diani Prince-Drew.

“When nations speak with one voice, the world listens. Our collective influence is profound. Together, we can open doors, move markets, shape policy. And most importantly, we can change lives for the better,” Trump said.

The initiative is also expanding its cooperation with the technology sector. The U.S. State Department said Monday that seven technology companies — Adobe, Amazon, Google, Intel, N50, Starlink and Zoom — had announced partnerships involving more than 15 countries to expand educational and technological opportunities for children and young people.

Amazon separately said it is supporting the coalition with AI-powered learning tools and digital-skills initiatives for students. Trump said access to technology by itself was not enough and called for children to be taught how to use new technologies responsibly.

“Access alone is not empowerment. We must give our children the tools—and teach them how to use those tools wisely,” she said. She cited artificial intelligence, video communications, mobile computing, self-driving vehicles, virtual environments and biometric identification as examples of technologies that are increasingly part of everyday life.

The coalition’s stated focus includes four areas: AI in education, education technology, online protection and digital skills, according to the State Department. Trump urged participating first spouses and leaders to work together despite differences among their countries. “Years from now, our children may not remember the meetings we held or the speeches we gave. But they will live with the consequences of what we do here,” she said.

She added that the coalition should seek to help young people expand their imagination, explore new areas of knowledge, take calculated risks and contribute to the advancement of society. The White House says Fostering the Future Together has no membership fees and that participating countries are responsible for any indirect costs associated with their own engagements, including travel.




Melania Trump’s Fostering the Future Together Secures 7 New Tech Partnerships

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — First Lady Melania Trump’s Fostering the Future Together (FTFT) initiative has secured seven new technology-sector partnerships aimed at expanding access to education, digital skills and technology for children and young people around the world. The new partnerships were announced Monday on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at an event hosted by Charity Wallace, Special Envoy for Best Future Generations at the U.S. Department of State.

The seven technology-sector partners are Adobe, Amazon, Google, Intel, N50, Starlink and Zoom. Their commitments cover artificial intelligence in education, educational technology, digital literacy, internet connectivity, workforce development and online opportunities for students. The mission of Fostering the Future Together is to empower children through technology and education. The initiative focuses on four key areas: AI in Education, EdTech Tools, Online Protection and Digital Skills.

Adobe Expands AI-Powered Education Tools

Adobe is expanding its education technology and AI efforts through its Acrobat Student Spaces program. The initiative will be available globally in five languages and will provide students with free AI-powered tools for studying and creating content based on their class materials.

Amazon Expands Student AI and Technology Training

Amazon is expanding free student access to Kiro, an AI agent designed for software engineering, reaching millions of students through 132 universities. Participating institutions include universities in Romania, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and France. Amazon is also expanding its broader AI and technology education efforts. Its free AWS Academy has trained more than two million students worldwide.

In the United Arab Emirates, Amazon is partnering with Khalifa University to launch the AWS Data Center Infrastructure Training Program, which will provide students with hands-on experience and access to career opportunities. Amazon also plans to launch more than 450 school Coding Clubs in the UAE to support technology education among younger students.

Google Commits $4 Million for AI Educator Training

Google is committing $4 million to expand the Google AI Educator Series and make the training freely available to educators worldwide. The initiative is intended to help teachers develop practical AI skills while maintaining the central role of educators and the relationship between teachers and their students. Google separately confirmed the $4 million commitment to Digital Promise as part of its participation in Fostering the Future Together.

Intel Expands AI and Digital Literacy Programs

Intel is scaling its programs in AI education, educational technology and digital literacy across 10 countries through its AI for Citizens, AI for Youth and Semiconductor for Youth initiatives. The company is highlighting a major AI PC deployment in Panama, alongside new or expanded partnerships in Egypt, Ghana, Israel, Kenya, Malaysia, Poland, South Korea, the UAE and Vietnam.

N50 Launches AI Education Pilot in Uganda

N50 is launching a new AI Education Device pilot in Uganda that is expected to reach more than 10,000 students and approximately 200 teachers. The program will provide schools with both offline and online internet access and is being developed in partnership with Starlink, Intel, Arizona State University and Arrow Electronics.

Starlink Expands Internet Access in Papua New Guinea

Starlink is working with the Government of Papua New Guinea and the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) to expand fast and reliable internet access across the country. The effort builds on $30 million in U.S. support announced during the U.S.-Papua New Guinea Strategic Partnership Dialogue.

Zoom Announces $2.75 Million in New Grants

Zoom, through its Zoom Cares program, is set to announce $2.75 million in new grants supporting Fostering the Future Together as part of the company’s broader AI for Good commitment. The grants will focus on education, workforce development and nonprofit AI readiness, with funding directed toward nonprofits operating in FTFT countries across Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.

Global Public-Private Partnership

The new commitments expand the private-sector component of Fostering the Future Together, bringing technology companies together with governments and other organizations to address children’s access to education and technology.

The initiative was launched by Melania Trump during the 80th UN General Assembly in September 2025. Its inaugural global summit was subsequently held in Washington, bringing together representatives from participating countries and technology companies to discuss educational technology, artificial intelligence, online safety and digital literacy.

The White House says 57 member nations have joined the broader initiative, including France, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Panama, the Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Israel, Morocco, Kenya, Türkiye and the Republic of Korea.

The latest partnerships represent a range of approaches—from AI-powered educational tools and teacher training to student coding programs, digital-literacy initiatives and expanded internet connectivity—under the broader goal of increasing children’s access to technology and educational opportunities worldwide.