Remembering Dr. Jane Goodall Following her passing on October 1, Mike wrote that "Jane Goodall's brilliant mind, compassionate heart, and pioneering spirit helped us better understand our connection to nature and our responsibility to defend it — and she inspired generations to do their part."
We were honored to have Dr. Goodall join a conversation at last week's Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, where she spoke about the beginnings of her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, what inspired her to continue advocating for biodiversity and conservation until the age of 91, and what gives her hope for the future. You can watch Jane's remarks here, and view the full conversation below. 
"Every single one of us, all over the world, every day we live we make some impact," Jane said. "And all of us can choose wisely what kind of impact we make."
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Representatives from 63 countries joined leaders from business, the arts, sports, and philanthropy at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum to discuss collaboration on big opportunities and creative solutions to major challenges. Check out our top five moments from the Forum, then scroll down to explore the panels and conversations on everything from safeguarding biodiversity and supporting Africa's growing culture industry, to the future of AI, the NBA, and the EU.
An estimated one billion people worldwide live with untreated vision impairment. At the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, Mike announced a $75 million investment in our Vision Initiative and new partnerships to help restore sight and expand access to vision screenings, cataract surgeries, and eyeglasses for millions of people in the U.S. and around the world.
Mission 300 aims to provide electricity to 300 million people across Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. A special Forum session brought together Heads of State and the leaders of the World Bank and African Development Bank to strengthen partnerships and accelerate the initiative's impact.
Africa needs hundreds of billions of dollars in investment to support sustainable growth. In a new partnership announced at the Forum, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero and the African Development Bank Group will work together to unlock private investment across the continent.
The Forum took place alongside this year's United Nations General Assembly, where the UN High Seas Treaty crossed the critical 60-state ratification threshold needed to bring it into force. The Treaty marks a major step forward for protecting ocean waters, marine biodiversity, and the livelihoods of people around the world. Read a joint op-ed from Bloomberg Philanthropies CEO Patti Harris and Panama's Minister of Environment Juan Carlos Navarro about this important achievement.
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Today nearly a billion people worldwide suffer from poor vision — experiencing challenges that can hold them back in school and the workplace. If left unaddressed, the impacts can affect multiple generations. In Mike's opening remarks at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, he announced that we're making a $75 million investment and building partnerships with companies like Warby Parker, VisionSpring, and Sightsavers to conduct vision screenings for 11.5 million people, distribute nearly seven million pairs of eyeglasses, and restore sight for 250,000 people through cataract surgeries. 
"Electricity is the first building block of jobs, of enterprise, and dignity," said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga at a special Forum session on Mission 300, an ambitious initiative that brings together African governments, the private sector, and development partners with an aim to provide power to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. Watch the special session with Mike, Ajay Banga, African Development Bank Group President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah; H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Taye Atske Selassie, President of Ethiopia; H.E. Julius Maada Wonie Bio, President of Sierra Leone; H.E. Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of the Republic of Togo; T.R.H. Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of Lesotho; and H.E. Américo Ramos, Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, and others. 
Africa is home to a young and growing population, and opportunities for future economic activity across the continent are substantial. A new partnership between the African Development Bank Group and the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, announced by Mike and African Development Bank Group President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, will help unlock private capital investments and public-private partnerships to strengthen sustainable economic growth, improve livelihoods, support adaptation to climate-related impacts, and promote development goals.
The Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum was held alongside the 80th United Nations General Assembly, which this year included what may be "the biggest moment for ocean conservation in history." After two decades of debate and negotiation, the High Seas Treaty reached the decisive threshold of 60 state ratifications during UNGA. The Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative helped make this milestone possible by working with partners and countries to advance ratification, and is now helping to ensure the Treaty's implementation. To date, 73 countries have ratified the Treaty, which establishes environmental safeguards — for the first time ever — over more than two-thirds of the ocean. Our CEO Patti Harris and Panama's Minister of Environment Juan Carlos Navarro penned an op-ed for Newsweek celebrating this pivotal moment for ocean protection and its importance to billions of people around the world.
Watch more from the
Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum Introduction: Meeting the Moment 
Harrison Ford, Actor
Mike's Opening Remarks 
Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies
and Bloomberg L.P.
Quick Take: Harnessing the Power of AI 
Moderator: Francine Lacqua, Anchor, Bloomberg Television
Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer, Alphabet and Google
The Biodiversity Imperative: Investing in Nature 
Moderator: Antha Williams, Head of Environment Programs, Bloomberg Philanthropies
Henry M. Paulson Jr., Chairman, The Paulson Institute
Jane Goodall, Founder, The Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace
Quick Take: NBA’s Global Game Plan 
Moderator: Jason Kelly, Chief Correspondent, Bloomberg Originals; Host and Executive Producer, The Deal
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
Navigating the New Global Economy 
Moderator: John Micklethwait, Editor-in-Chief, Bloomberg
The Right Honourable David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The Future of Global Infrastructure 
Moderator: Jason Kelly, Chief Correspondent, Bloomberg Originals; Host and Executive Producer, The Deal
Shemara Wikramanayake, Managing Director and CEO, Macquarie Group
Adebayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and CEO, Global Infrastructure Partners
Bruce Flatt, CEO, Brookfield
Europe's Next Chapter 
Moderator: Francine Lacqua, Anchor, Bloomberg Television
Roberta Metsola, President, European Parliament
Mission 300: Energizing Africa 
Moderator: Jennifer Zabasajja, Chief Africa Correspondent and Anchor, Bloomberg Television
Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President, African Development Bank Group
Ajay Banga, President, World Bank Group
Unlocking Africa's Global Cultural Influence 
Moderator: Chiney Ogwumike, Two-Time WNBA All-Star; Multi-Platform Host and Analyst
Djimon Hounsou, Actor and Founder, Djimon Hounsou Foundation
Mo Abudu, Founder and CEO, EbonyLife Group
Building Africa's Future 
Moderator: Francine Lacqua, Anchor, Bloomberg Television
Masai Ujiri, Co-Founder, Giants of Africa and Zaria Group
Bill Gates, Chair, Gates Foundation
Closing: Finding Common Ground 
Michael Douglas, Actor
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Innovation | |  Environment | |  The Arts | | Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg's giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3.7 billion. Learn more at Bloomberg.org Click here to stop receiving the Bloomberg Philanthropies Impact Newsletter Click here to unsubscribe from all Bloomberg Philanthropies emails Bloomberg Philanthropies All content ©2025 Bloomberg IP Holdings LLC. All rights reserved. | | |
