Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne S. Verveer will travel to Istanbul, Turkey from January 22 through 26 to launch the U.S. Government-hosted conference “Invest for the Future: Women Driving Economic Growth,” along with regional partners. Taking place from January 24-26, the conference is focused on promoting women entrepreneurs from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, and Turkey through the development of a workshop, mentoring and exchange program. While in Istanbul, Ambassador Verveer will also meet with NGO representatives, civil society leaders and local journalists.

Following the Istanbul conference, Ambassador Verveer will participate in the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, focusing on issues concerning women, the economy and gender parity.