Bringing Community-Led Development to the Global Stage
CorpsAfrica will be in New York during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), joining global leaders, development organizations, businesses, and advocates in conversations about Africa’s future.
Throughout UNGA week, CorpsAfrica staff will participate in events focused on African development, youth leadership, women’s economic empowerment, sustainable development, and locally led solutions. We’ll bring the experiences of CorpsAfrica Volunteers into these conversations, highlighting what is possible when young African leaders work alongside communities to identify priorities, design solutions, and lead projects of their own.
Will you be in New York for UNGA81? We’d love to connect.
Throughout UNGA81, CorpsAfrica staff will participate in conversations on African leadership, community-led development, women’s economic empowerment, youth leadership, and the future of global development.
| Date | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Sept. 18 | All day |
African Development Summit 2026 CorpsAfrica will participate in conversations on African leadership, development, investment, and locally led solutions. |
New York / Virtual |
| Sunday, Sept. 20 | All day |
Unstoppable Africa CorpsAfrica will connect with African leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and global partners. |
New York |
| Monday, Sept. 21 | All day |
Unstoppable Africa Continued conversations on Africa's economic development and opportunities for collaboration. |
New York |
| Monday, Sept. 21 | 2:30–4:00 PM |
Storytelling About Communities to Storytelling by Them A conversation about shifting the narrative so communities have greater ownership over how their stories are told. |
New York |
| Monday, Sept. 21 | 3:00–6:00 PM |
Foreign Policy: Her Power Conversations on women’s leadership, economic opportunity, and Africa’s future. |
New York |
| Tuesday, Sept. 22 | 12:30–6:00 PM |
Devex Impact House CorpsAfrica will connect with development leaders and contribute to conversations on the future of global development. |
New York |
| Tuesday, Sept. 22 | All day |
Semafor World Economy Summit Conversations on the global economy, investment, and Africa’s economic future. |
New York |
| Wednesday, Sept. 23 | 11:00 AM–6:00 PM |
Devex Impact House Booth Connect with the CorpsAfrica team and learn more about our approach to Community-Led Development. |
New York |
| Wednesday, Sept. 23 |
10:00 AM–1:00 PM 3:00–6:00 PM |
UN Meeting on the Right to Development Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. |
United Nations |
| Thursday, Sept. 24 | 1:00–3:30 PM |
Foreign Policy: Global Development Forum Conversations about the future of global development, partnerships, and locally led approaches. |
New York |
This Year of the Volunteer
UNGA81 comes during the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, making this an especially meaningful moment to bring attention to the role of volunteerism in global development.
For more than 15 years, CorpsAfrica has placed young African Volunteers in rural communities across 11 countries, where they work alongside community members to identify priorities and develop locally led solutions. In 2026, we are joining the global celebration of volunteerism while reaffirming our commitment to strengthening Volunteer leadership and community-led development.
At UNGA81, we’re proud to bring the voices and experiences of CorpsAfrica Volunteers into global conversations and connect with partners who share a commitment to development that is community-led, locally rooted, and shaped by the people closest to the challenges and opportunities.
