Creative Women Platform at the UN: Rebeca Riofrio’s Call for Unity and Equality

by Parliament News Press Office

New York, 15 September 2025 – The United Nations Headquarters, long regarded as the stage for global diplomacy and dialogue, became the setting for an unprecedented moment as the Creative Women Platform hosted its inaugural assembly during the UN General Assembly within the UN Delegates Dining Room . At the heart of this historic gathering, Rebeca Riofrio — Chair of the UK Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion and Sports, Marketing Manager at Anglia Ruskin University, CEO and Founder of Art in Fusion TV, Editor-in-Chief of Parliament News Magazine, and Honorary Ambassador for the Creative Women Platform — delivered a keynote welcome address that struck a powerful chord of unity, equality, and creative leadership.

A Speech for Humanity

Opening with solemnity and resolve, Ms Riofrio addressed the pressing challenges of our era with candour:

“We live in a society where women, in many parts of the world, still carry the weight of inequality. We live in times when voicing one’s opinion can be silenced with violence, and in an era where the world too often witnesses conflict, devastation, and even genocide — and far too little is done. Yet we are not here to deepen divisions, but to heal them.”

Her address celebrated the mission of the Creative Women Platform as a testament to empowerment and collaboration. With a message that resonated far beyond the assembly hall,

she concluded with a call that reflected the spirit of the event:

“May this assembly remind us that the future is not written by those who destroy, but by those who create, nurture, and unite.”

Her words drew heartfelt applause, framing the assembly not only as a milestone for the platform but also as a beacon of shared humanity.

A Gathering of Global Voices

The Creative Women Platform Assembly convened an extraordinary constellation of leaders whose diverse expertise embodied the platform’s ethos of creativity, courage, and collaboration.

Among the distinguished speakers were Olga Balakleets, Founder & CEO of the Creative Women Platform; Yvonne Beri, UN Focal Point and member of 100 Women in Finance; Sergio A. Fernandez de Córdova, Chairman of the PVBLIC Foundation; Alysia Helming, author, entrepreneur, and sustainability advocate; and Abigail Lehman, social entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Also contributing their vision were Wendy Diamond, investor and founder of LDP Ventures and Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organisation; Ambassador Ana Irene Delgado, Ambassador of Panama to the USA and CWP Honorary Ambassador; Elizabeth de Moraes, award-winning transformational speaker and strategist; Maria Markou, founder of Maria Markou Global Legal Group; and Honor Williams, Esq., Senior Manager of Business and Legal Affairs at Blavity Inc.

Other international leaders included Elizabeth Funk, philanthropist and founder of Dignity Fund and Yahoo! Shopping; Josie Barnett, Philanthropic thought-leader driving change at the intersection of insurance, climate resilience and inclusion; Lorena Ezcurdia, CWP Chair in Mexico; Lisa Razoumova, investor and sustainability leader; and Irena Zubcevic, Director and sustainable development expert.

Further voices of influence featured David Chen, conscious entrepreneur and angel investor; Pernilla S. Corizza, CWP Chair in Sweden; Therese Wittner, entrepreneur and philanthropist; Dame Didi Wong, Hollywood film and television producer, angel investor, and philanthropist; Sarah Endline, founder of Sazzy; Donna Mikkelsen, award-winning ambidextrous artist; and Paola Hadjialambri, actress, Vice-President of Emerald Real Estate, and Olympic Priestess.

The assembly also highlighted contributions from Laura Neroulias, founder of LORA PR; Ash Moraca, family office leader; Ekin-Su Culculoglu, actress and television personality; Dustin Jones, global strategist; Sade Baderinwa, award-winning journalist and anchor at WABC-TV; and Sarah Chen-Spellings, co-founder of Beyond the Billion.

Together, these global changemakers reflected the international scale of the Creative Women Platform and its mission to unite voices across cultures, industries, and nations.

A Legacy of Leadership

Rebeca Riofrio’s presence at the United Nations was emblematic of a career defined by vision and influence. As Chair of the UK Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion, and Sports and Editor-in-Chief of Parliament News Magazine, she has consistently used her platform to champion causes such as human trafficking, modern slavery, and sustainability.

Her career began alongside the renowned American novelist and war correspondent Martha Gellhorn, whose fearless storytelling profoundly shaped her approach to leadership and advocacy. From spearheading global marketing campaigns for Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Dolce & Gabbana, to producing films at the Cannes Film Festival for over a decade, Ms Riofrio has consistently bridged creativity with enterprise.

Her accolades reflect her global impact, including the Queen’s Award for Business and Enterprise, the Big Ben Award at the House of Lords, the European Businesswoman of the Year Award, the Creative Woman of Excellence Award, and the Olive Tree Laureate of Malta.

About Creative Women Platform

Founded in 2016, the Creative Women Platform is a global initiative uniting women leaders, innovators, and changemakers from more than 50 countries. Its mission is to foster dialogue, collaboration, and visionary leadership, positioning creativity as a driving force to address humanity’s most pressing challenges.

A Defining Moment

For the Creative Women Platform, the assembly at the United Nations signalled the dawn of a new chapter in global leadership. For Rebeca Riofrio, it was a moment that encapsulated her lifelong mission: to use art, creativity, and advocacy as instruments of unity and change.

Her keynote was not only a welcome address — it was a call to action. A reminder that in solidarity, in nurturing, and in daring to create, lies the true power to shape the future of humanity.