Melania Trump Launches Imperia Initiative to Promote Women’s Economic Leadership

NEW YORK — US First Lady Melania Trump has launched a new initiative aimed at supporting women in leadership and strengthening their participation in the global economy, while also highlighting her ongoing efforts to reunite children separated from their families by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Trump unveiled the initiative, called Imperia, on Wednesday while ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The initiative brings together business leaders, founders, innovators and entrepreneurs, with a focus on women’s leadership, investment, innovation and economic empowerment.

Addressing participants at the inaugural Imperia Summit, Trump said the initiative would encourage women to expand their economic influence through business ownership, investment, intellectual property and other forms of economic participation.

She said women should have greater opportunities to own businesses, equity, real estate and investment assets, while also contributing to economic growth and supporting future generations of women.

Trump also discussed her involvement in preparations for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States during an interview with Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends.”

She said President Donald Trump planned to personally welcome Xi when the Chinese leader arrives in Washington, describing the decision as a reflection of the relationship between the two leaders. Xi’s visit is the first state visit to the United States by a Chinese president in more than a decade.

The first lady also highlighted her efforts to help reunite Ukrainian and Russian children with their families. She said her team maintains communication with officials from both countries and is working on another reunification.

According to the White House, Trump facilitated the reunification of a fifth group of Ukrainian and Russian children with their families in July. The administration has said her efforts have helped facilitate the reunification of 34 children and families since she began working on the issue.

Trump also spoke about her public engagements and said that although she may not appear publicly as frequently as during her husband’s first presidential term, she remains involved in several projects behind the scenes.

The first lady is also preparing for the release of a new two-part documentary series later this year, which she said would feature personal conversations and previously undisclosed aspects of her life and work.

The launch of Imperia adds an economic and business-focused element to Trump’s public initiatives, alongside her continuing work on children and family reunification issues and her involvement in diplomatic events surrounding the UN General Assembly and the US-China state visit.