“As people we dream. As leaders we progress. As nations we will build. Beginning today, let’s accelerate our new global alliance—this bond—to positively impact the progress of our children.” First Lady Melania Trump welcomed a room filled with international leaders and tech visionaries who share a mission: to empower the next generation through technology and education. The member nations and tech entities convened a...
“As people we dream. As leaders we progress. As nations we will build. Beginning today, let’s accelerate our new global alliance—this bond—to positively impact the progress of our children.” First Lady Melania Trump welcomed a room filled with international leaders and tech visionaries who share a mission: to empower the next generation through technology and education. The member nations and tech entities convened at the U.S. Department of State to collaborate on practical solutions that expand access to educational tools while strengthening protections for children in digital environments. In her opening remarks, the First Lady emphasized the importance of global partnerships and reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that children everywhere have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world. She called on coalition members to take action through partnerships, research, and regional engagement to advance the mission of Fostering the Future Together. “Our shared vision prioritizes children above political philosophy, geographical borders, and local prejudices,” said First Lady Melania Trump. “Together, we can expand access to education and technology and equip the next generation with the skills they need to succeed.” Throughout the working session, participants engaged in a series of discussions centered on four key areas: EdTech Tools, Artificial Intelligence in Education, Safety and Protection Online, and Digital Literacy. The First Lady also recognized the participation of leading American technology companies, whose engagement reflects the growing role of the private sector in supporting safe and effective educational innovation. The session highlighted the role of public-private collaboration in delivering innovative, scalable solutions for children, educators, and families worldwide. Day 1 of the historic summit marks the first large-scale, in-person gathering of the Fostering the Future Together coalition since the announcement of its launch during the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. The summit will continue on Wednesday, March 25, at the White House. Below are the full remarks by First Lady Melania Trump, as prepared for delivery: Elevate Our Children Good morning, Ambassador Crowley, Ambassador Waltz, Secretary McMahon, Deputy Secretary Landau, Director Kratsios, Chairman Ferguson, Special Envoy for Best Future Generations Charles Harder. Thank you all for being champions of Fostering the Future Together. It is wonderful to receive such an impressive delegation of world leaders, first spouses, and best-in-class tech companies—all with the shared purpose to empower our next generation’s advancement in technology and education. Welcome Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bangladesh, Belize, and Bolivia. It is my distinct honor to have Burundi, Cabo Verde, Congo, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, France, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, and Guatemala here in Washington DC. Greetings Israel, Kenya, Kosovo, Lithuania, Malta, Malawi, Montenegro, Morocco, Nigeria, Macedonia, Palau, Panama, and of course, Paraguay. Hello, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Ukraine, and UAE. Beginning today, let’s accelerate our new global alliance—this bond—to positively impact the progress of our children. Welcome members, to the inaugural meeting of Fostering the Future Together. Our coalition’s mission is to empower children by providing greater access to technology and education. This is a historic moment in time. Our key driver: to cultivate the skills young people need to be successful in this rapidly evolving world. Fostering the Future Together will achieve this by creating innovative learning programs, advocating for supportive education policies, sponsoring new tech-focused legislation, and building strong partnerships between the public and private sectors. Each of you has a vital role to play in shaping the TechEd opportunities for the next generation. Fostering the Future Together’s collaborative platform will serve as a capability multiplier for members. This added benefit is derived directly from our coalition’s foundational elements: AI, education, and global leadership. Our shared vision prioritizes children above political philosophy, geographical borders, and local prejudices. To turn this vision into action, I invite each of you to participate—commit to hosting a regional meeting, conduct a research study, advance new partnerships, collaborate with another member nation in your region of the world. Magic happens in our nation’s capital, particularly when the private and public sectors join forces. Today’s meeting is unprecedented. I commend America’s leading companies for convening with us today. Never before have so many tech visionaries stood before such a large global audience of leaders in the State Department and the White House over a two-day period. Nowhere else could such a concentration of excellence be assembled—from AI pioneers like OpenAI, Palantir, and xAI, to tech platforms like Google and Meta, creative engines like Adobe and Microsoft, plus human connectivity through Zoom Communications. This room is filled with extraordinary human capital. Leaders: harness it to elevate your children, to empower your people, and to accelerate your economies. Our coalition of leaders will improve our future, but only by supporting concrete initiatives that equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need. Together, lets invest, expand access, and create opportunities for education and technology. I wish everyone great success during Fostering the Future Together’s global coalition summit. There is much to accomplish over this two-day period, and this is only the beginning.
Speech Brief