Global Leaders Gather in New York to Restore Trust and Drive Systemic Transformation

As world leaders convened at United Nations Headquarters for the high-level week of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81), the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) co-organized two landmark side events in New York to champion transparency and integrity as essential pillars for global peace. The two events brought together an international delegation of diplomats, First Ladies, parliamentarians, and civil society leaders.

On September 22, 2026, FOWPAL joined forces with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Pan-African Intergovernmental Agency for Water and Sanitation (WSA) to the UN, the Africana Women Working Group at the UN, and other partners to host a high-level side event at UN Headquarters in celebration of the International Day of Peace. Two days later, on September 24, FOWPAL, the Africa-US Presidential Forum, and other organizations convened a forum at 777 UN Plaza to foster love, peace, and unity.

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A Call for Ethical Leadership and Institutional Transformation

In his keynote address, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, urged multilateral institutions and heads of state to embrace conscience and moral accountability as catalysts for genuine systemic change.

"To successfully manage transformation, governments and civil society must deepen their commitment to transparency and integrity—preventing self-serving decisions from compromising the common good, while practicing ethical leadership to enhance public credibility and foster social trust," Dr. Hong stated. "In doing so, we ensure that our democratic institutions can better meet the needs of the twenty-first century and truly fulfill their fundamental purpose of serving the people and advancing their well-being."

To inject positive energy and collective blessings into the global community, Dr. Hong presided over the solemn ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love. Ringing the Bell nine times across both gatherings, Dr. Hong expressed three heartfelt wishes for humanity:

1. That all people act with transparency, integrity, and conscience;
2. That genuine love and hope guide human action; and
3. That all creatures live together in peace and harmony.

Echoes of Peace: Global Dignitaries Ring the Bell

A total of twelve distinguished leaders joined Dr. Hong across both events in ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love, using their personal and professional influence to foster global harmony and social justice:

• H.E. Mrs. Ana Dias Lourenço, First Lady of the Republic of Angola
• Daniel Kokoi Jr., Assistant Minister for International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia (representing President Joseph Boakai)
• H.E. Mildred G.M. Schwengle, Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba to the Netherlands
• Hon. Dr. Dexter Mark Godfrey Todd, Member of Parliament of Guyana
• Hon. Vinceroy H. Jordan, Member of Parliament of Guyana
• Hon. Dr. Riaz Zakeer Rupnarain, Member of Parliament of Guyana
• Amb. Dr. John Tarantino, Special Envoy of WSA to the UN
• Sharon Baquedo-Phinn, President of CICA International University & Seminary and Chief Ambassador to the UN
• Dr. Patricia McDougall, Founder & CEO of Patricia's Professional Photos
• Dr. Jay S. Patel, Founder & CEO of htpNRG
• Jonathan McReynolds, Representing President John Mahama of Ghana
• Dr. Princess Asie Kabuki Ocansey, Renowned Peace Advocate of Ada Kingdom, Ghana

Mobilizing Around the Declaration of Transparency and Integrity

A pivotal highlight of the UNGA 81 side events was the formal endorsement of the Declaration of Transparency and Integrity—a milestone initiative advocating for moral governance, public accountability, and gender-inclusive peacebuilding. Key signatories included Liberian Assistant Minister Daniel Kokoi Jr.; Dr. Princess Asie Kabuki Ocansey; WSA Special Envoy Amb. Dr. John Tarantino; and Guyanese Members of Parliament Dr. Dexter Mark Godfrey Todd, Vinceroy H. Jordan, and Dr. Riaz Zakeer Rupnarain.

Delegates and signatories reflected on how active transparency and integrity directly counters corruption, violent conflict, and the erosion of civic trust:

• Hon. Dr. Dexter Mark Godfrey Todd (MP, Guyana): Emphasized that transparency and accountability are fundamental pillars of democracy, warning that secrecy breeds corruption, escalates crime, and drives division. He urged governments to go beyond passing legislation and actively embody the standards they enact into law.
• Hon. Vinceroy H. Jordan (MP, Guyana): Called on current world leaders to move past diplomatic rhetoric and actively model transparent, unified governance for future generations.
• Hon. Dr. Riaz Zakeer Rupnarain (MP, Guyana): Highlighted that elected officials owe absolute openness to their constituents, noting that proactive transparency bridges information gaps and prevents conflicts before they begin.
• Amb. Dr. John Tarantino (Special Envoy of WSA to the UN): Grounded integrity in human conscience, observing that transparency represents openness, while integrity lies in having the courage to do what is right. He added that allowing conscience to serve as a guide naturally leads to love, honor, and peace.
• Jonathan McReynolds (Representing President John Mahama of Ghana): Addressed the critical need for authenticity in international affairs: "We're so seared in this generation by fake stuff, by the untruth, by the lie, by the deception. All of us who really want to represent peace and love must do it authentically, with a love of transparency and integrity in our hearts."

Honoring Friendships and Enduring Legacy

The gatherings also featured meaningful moments of friendship and tribute. Dr. Hong presented a ceremonial tea set to H.E. Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, First Lady of the Bahamas, who rang the Bell of World Peace and Love in 2023, and Dr. Hong had warm exchanges with her when leading a FOWPAL delegation to the Bahamas in January 2026.

In a tribute, Amb. Prof. Ada Okika, Deputy Permanent Observer of the WSA Observer Mission to the UN, presented a posthumous recognition award honoring Dr. Hong's late wife and former FOWPAL Vice President, Madam Yu, Mei-Jung. The accolade celebrates Madam Yu's lifetime of dedication alongside Dr. Hong in cultivating conscience, universal love, global sustainability, and a culture of peace across nations.

Expressing deep appreciation for FOWPAL's ongoing mission, Dr. Princess Asie Kabuki Ocansey praised Dr. Hong's vision during the September 24 forum: "What Dr. Hong is doing is spectacular. I want to see more Dr. Hongs... He is bringing great peace to the world, and we love him for that."