On September 23rd, 2024, Fashion 4 Development hosted the Fourth Annual Sustainable Goals Banquet during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The banquet took place on Park Avenue on the Upper East Side. Founder of F4D Evie Evangelou hosted the event in conjunction with Human Kind Institute (HKI), Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture and the Education Above All Foundation (EAA).
The theme of year’s banquet was “Healthier People, Healthier Planet” in support of the United Nations Sustainable Goals.
Evie Evangelou welcomed guests with a heartfelt speech about the goals of F4D, HKI, Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, and EAA.
“We care about humanity and our planet, we care about peace and harmony in our world,” Evangelou stated.
The banquet was attended by the likes of UN Ambassadors, VIPs, fashion industry titans, political figures, and more including Harold O’Neal, Freddie Toye, Barbara Winston, Eva Orner, Desirée Bollier, Catherine Castillon, Dayle Haddon, Shannon Hoey, Prime Ministers, Ministers and Ambassadors for Jamaica, Bahamas, Saint Kitts Nevis, Bosnia, Malawi, Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia, Eritrea, UK, and Malta.
Following Evangelou’s opening remarks, there were two performances. The first performance was by Yogmata Keiko Aikawa, the first female Himalayan Siddha Master, who conducted a two-minute meditation session.
Following Aikawa’s meditation session, Nia Thompson, musicians from the Broadway production of Lion King, and pianist Harold O’Neal performed “Shadowland” from the musical.
After the performances, awards were presented to Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid (Children’s Advocacy Award) and Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim (Environmental Protection Award).
The guests were treated to a Moroccan buffet created by Master Chef David Fhima from Casablanca, the Founder of Fhimas, Minneapolis and, Maison Margaux.
The guests enjoyed the Moroccan cuisine while listening to remarks from EAA Foundation Youth Advocate Ahmed Saif Hajari, Commissioner of International Affairs Edward Mermelstein, and Founder of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Art (IAIA) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Thani.
After these inspiring remarks and celebration of Moroccan fashion, Evangelou thanked guests and sent them off with more performances by Ferdaous, an award-winning Moroccan songwriter, composer, and, singer and Gnawa State 7 music group.
The Sustainable Goals Banquet was the perfect segway into the 12th Annual First Ladies Luncheon which took place the following day. Evangelou and F4D also hosted the luncheon which aimed to further bridge fashion, diplomacy, education, and sustainable development.