Exclusive: Melania Trump To Launch 'Davos For Women' Initiative During UN High-Level Week

After a quieter summer, First Lady Melania Trump will be highly visible in New York City during United Nations General Assembly High-Level week. Her schedule includes meetings with international first spouses, the expansion of her foster-care initiative, and the launch of a new women’s leadership network.

Fostering the Future Expansion

On Sept. 22, the first lady will meet with the spouses of leaders from 57 nations at the St. Regis Hotel and promote her Fostering the Future program, which supports young people transitioning out of foster care. According to senior adviser Marc Beckman, the event will spotlight new private-sector collaborations with leading technology companies.

Last month at the White House, the first lady announced a $2 million gift from IndyCar and Fox Corporation to expand the program nationally by funding scholarships at Indiana University. In May, the U.S. House passed the Fostering the Future Act (H.R. 7432), a bipartisan bill aimed at modernizing federal foster care programs. The White House says Mrs. Trump is now working with lawmakers to advance the measure in the Senate. The initiative has been introduced at 26 universities across the country as part of that expansion.

IMPERIA — "Davos for Women"

On Sept. 23, Mrs. Trump will ring the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange and unveil a new initiative called IMPERIA, described as a network for female chief executives and senior C-suite leaders. Beckman said the effort will "provide a forum and network for powerful women to do business together, move capital, influence policy, and collaborate across sectors." He characterized the project as a "Davos for Women," referencing the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland.

State Visit With China’s President

The day after the IMPERIA launch, the first lady will join President Donald Trump in welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan to the White House for an official state visit. Beckman said the first lady, "meticulous as always," personally oversaw major elements of the visit, including the State Dinner and private engagements.

Both presidential couples will take part in a short public outing, and on Sept. 25 the Trumps plan to escort President Xi and Peng to the National Archives to view the Declaration of Independence.

Outlook

The series of events underscores the first lady’s focus on her signature initiative while expanding her public role in business and diplomacy. With private-sector partners and bipartisan backing in the House, her efforts aim to combine advocacy for foster youth with a new platform for women leaders.

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomes Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla at the South Portico as they arrive for a state dinner at the White House in Washington, DC on April 28, 2026.(Ken Cedeno, REUTERS)

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla at the South Portico as they arrive for a state dinner at the White House in Washington, DC on April 28, 2026.(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump host Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026.(AARON SCHWARTZ, AFP via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump prepare to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a state dinner at the White House on April 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. In his first visit to the U.S. as the British monarch, King Charles III addressed a joint meeting of Congress as part of a multi-day trip to the nation's capital, New York City, and Virginia celebrating the United States of America's 250th anniversary of its independence.(Andrew Harnik, Getty Images)

First Lady Melania Trump with Britain's Queen Camilla walk to attend a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026.(HENRY NICHOLLS, AFP via Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for a state dinner with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the White House on April 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. In his first visit to the U.S. as the British monarch, King Charles III addressed a joint meeting of Congress as part of a multi-day trip to the nation's capital, New York City, and Virginia celebrating the United States of America's 250th anniversary of its independence.(Andrew Harnik, Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026.(BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP via Getty Images)

Queen Camilla and first lady Melania Trump enter the White House for a state dinner on April 28, 2026 in Washington, DC.(Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)

First lady Melania Trump during the National Anthem at the start of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix Race on the streets of Washington, DC, on Aug. 23, 2026.

(From left) IndyCar drivers Alexander Rossi and Scott Dixon pose with first lady Melania Trump during an event announcing the expansion of a foster care initiative in the White House Rose Garden on Aug. 20, 2026, in Washington, DC.