An institution for the experience of office.
United World Leaders is an independent, nonpartisan institution, not controlled by any government. It brings together presidents, prime ministers, ministers, ambassadors and other current and former senior government dignitaries with distinguished leaders from business, academia, philanthropy, science, technology and civil society.
More than a network: a platform that empowers leaders to achieve what they could rarely achieve alone.
United World Leaders describes itself as a global platform that provides institutional credibility, international visibility, strategic relationships, cross-sector collaboration and access to a community of accomplished leaders, so that approved initiative leaders can expand their reach, build partnerships, attract support and turn ambitious ideas into impact.
Through it, leaders pursue humanitarian, educational, scientific, economic, policy, entrepreneurial, cultural and other initiatives. Its Charter states that it is fully independent and autonomous, and not affiliated with nor governed by any single institution or government.
Its Global Preventive Diplomacy & Peace Initiative is designed to complement, not replace, governments, the United Nations, regional organizations and diplomatic institutions.
As listed by the Institution in November 2026.
Its values
As set out in the Charter.
Not controlled by any government
Not affiliated with nor governed by any single institution or government. Authorized to enter into strategic agreements, establish regional and international headquarters, and launch initiatives aligned with its mission.
Political neutrality
Political neutrality is the first of the values the Charter lists, with integrity and transparency, and global inclusivity.
Action over rhetoric
Action over rhetoric, and long-term, sustainable impact: the Charter’s remaining values.
The ecosystem
The platforms through which the Institution works.
- CouncilsOpen
Councils and Initiatives
Bodies of leaders and experts, each with its own mandate, on peace, the economy, governance, health and education.
- PolicyOpen
United World Leaders Policy Institute
A global, action-oriented think tank for practical, implementation-oriented policy work.
- YouthOpen
Young United World Leaders
Mentorship, projects and the Young World Leader Awards, for leaders under 30.
- AcademiaOpen
United World Leaders Forums
Former heads of state and leaders of enterprise and nonprofits, brought to university campuses.
- SocietyOpen
United World Leaders Society
A separate organization for economic development, investment and business cooperation, with its own governance.
How it is measured
Not by the number of meetings held or conversations started, but by what those relationships make possible.
Launched
Created
Developed
Improved
A short history
Founded as Lives Amplified, the Institution now works as United World Leaders. Dates are those of its published releases and events.
Lives Amplified
The Institution’s earliest events are held as Lives Amplified – Global Leaders Society: in Miami from February 2024, and in New York during the week of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The first former Heads of State and Government
Former President of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev and former Prime Minister of Belgium Yves Leterme join as Honorary Board members. Former President of the United Nations General Assembly Miroslav Lajčák joins the Institution.
The Boards grow
Former President of the Dominican Republic Leonel Fernández, former Prime Minister of Iceland Geir Haarde, former President of Serbia Boris Tadić and former Prime Minister of Ukraine Anatoliy Kinakh join as Honorary Board members.
Leaders from four continents
Former Presidents of the Maldives, Mauritius, Slovakia, Malawi and Senegal and a former Prime Minister of Moldova join as Honorary Board members; a former Prime Minister of Lebanon and a former President of Trinidad and Tobago join as Honorary Advisory Board members.
Keynotes in Guangzhou and the Vatican
The Chairman, Dr. Steven V. Melnik, speaks at the 2025 Understanding China World Leadership Conference on developing better cooperation between China and the United States (30 November), and at the Vatican on why conversations alone are not enough to bring socioeconomic prosperity (1 December).
Council Chairs and Young UWL
Chairs are announced for the Women’s Healthcare Council (6 May), the Council on the Integrity of Governance in the Age of AI (14 May) and the Global Consular Leadership Council (14 September). Young UWL holds webinars with former Presidents Ameenah Gurib-Fakim (5 April) and Joyce Banda (20 August).