INSIGHTS, IDEAS & THOUGHTS

On October 16, Kyiv will host the 11th Kyiv International Economic Forum (KIEF), themed “Ukraine 2.0: The Power of People.” I’m honored to join leaders from government, business, and international institutions to explore how Ukraine can rebuild with resilience, drive innovation, and reimagine its role in the global economy. At a moment when Ukraine faces both extraordinary challenges and unprecedented potential, KIEF represents more than dialogue, it is a platform for action.

Dear Colleagues, As New York City’s former Commissioner for International Affairs, I’ve spent much of my career examining how global economic shifts intersect with local realities. Few cities embody this intersection more vividly than New York, a metropolis whose influence rests not only on its cultural dynamism but also on its ability to attract and retain the world’s top talent and investment. With the 2025 mayoral election approaching, I feel compelled to share a candid as

This week marks my fourth United Nations General Assembly, but this year, I’m attending as a spectator. After years of representing New York City as Commissioner for International Affairs, it’s a rare gift to observe the gathering from a distance and simply appreciate the choreography of diplomacy that defines this moment each year. The General Assembly is more than a convening of nations; it’s a living network of relationships. Beneath the speeches and motorcades lies somet

During my tenure as New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs, my focus was on opening doors, creating new avenues for global collaboration that positioned New York not merely as a destination, but as a dynamic partner in innovation and investment. I wanted the world to see what New Yorkers already know: that this city’s greatest strength lies in its diversity, its openness to ideas, and its ability to transform challenges into opportunity. From the outset, my mi

As a proud graduate of New York City’s gifted and talented programs, and as someone whose family arrived in America as poor refugees, I know firsthand how transformative access to education can be. These programs were not simply about academic acceleration; they were gateways to belonging and possibility. For many children from underserved communities, they remain one of the few merit-based pathways to excellence. A recent New York Times article quoting Assemblyman Zohran Mam