The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) has unveiled a star-studded lineup for its annual meeting in New York this September, tapping Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex; World Bank Group President Ajay Banga; TV personality and entrepreneur Chrissy Teigen; LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman; and celebrity science educator Bill Nye. The gathering, scheduled for September 22-23 during United Nations General Assembly week, was announced Thursday.
The event, founded by former President Bill Clinton in 2005, will center on the theme “How Do We Get It Right?” According to the organization, the meeting aims to chart “an affirmative vision for the future amidst rising turmoil, division, and continued cuts to government funding.”
This is not Prince Harry’s first appearance at CGI. In 2024, he spoke at the summit and warned of an “epidemic” among young people caused by social media platforms that he said are “designed to create addiction.” Nye and Banga have also previously participated in the Clintons’ annual summit.
The agenda for this year’s meeting includes mitigating the risks of artificial intelligence and driving innovation, climate and energy resilience, and democracy—specifically, “what it takes to rebuild trust, safeguard civic institutions and protect journalists when headlines and algorithms constantly emphasize our differences.” Other topics include humanitarian response, economic opportunities, and health research, particularly “sustaining research and innovation at a moment when funding and trust are both under strain.”
Additional participants announced Thursday include Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, former Iraqi President Barham Salih, Octopus Energy Group CEO Greg Jackson, content creator Aaron Parnas, and Omidyar Network CEO Michele Jawando.
The announcement comes as the Clintons remain active in global policy circles. Their recent engagements have highlighted issues from women’s equality to international trade, with Bill Clinton suggesting GOP support for Canada’s leader in a trade dispute. The CGI meeting also coincides with broader debates over technology’s role in society, as seen in declining educational outcomes linked to digital distractions.
The summit’s focus on AI and journalism comes amid growing concerns about misinformation and the sustainability of news media. Organizers emphasized the need to protect democratic institutions and rebuild public trust, a theme that resonates with recent political controversies, including questions over private meetings involving political figures.
With a mix of royalty, science, and entertainment, the Clintons are clearly aiming to draw attention to pressing global challenges while leveraging star power to amplify their message. The meeting is expected to attract world leaders, policymakers, and business executives, all seeking solutions to some of the most intractable problems of our time.
