The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released its 2025 roster of Young Global Leaders (YGL), a cohort of 116 individuals under 40 who have taken on prominent roles across industries including business, public service, science, civil society, and the arts.
The selection spans nearly 50 countries and reflects a range of backgrounds, from sitting prime ministers and multinational executives to researchers, investors, and creative professionals.
The YGL community now includes more than 1,400 current and former members from over 120 countries.
The program, established in 2004, offers a three-year leadership development initiative that combines executive education, peer collaboration, and involvement in forum-led projects and partnerships.
Participants in the class of 2025 are expected to contribute to initiatives across various sectors and explore policy responses to global challenges. They will engage in dialogue and co-develop practical approaches within the forum’s platforms, including public-private cooperation.
According to Nicole Schwab, chair of the YGL Foundation Board, those selected continue a trajectory of leaders who are navigating transitions in their respective fields.
Ida Jeng Christensen, who oversees the YGL Forum, described the new members as representative of evolving leadership demands amid global complexity.
This year’s cohort brings together a wide spectrum of expertise.
In the private sector, executives such as Camiel Irving of Uber (USA), Gabriela Rodrigues of UBS (Brazil), Cheryl Cui of Bota Biosciences (China), and Ham Serunjogi of Chipper Cash (USA) are included. Several are founders of unicorn startups and decision-makers in global finance, logistics, and healthcare.
Government officials among the 2025 class include Paetongtarn Shinawatra, prime minister of Thailand; Simon Harris, Tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs and trade of Ireland; and Milojko Spajić, prime minister of Montenegro. Other appointees include ministers of education, defense, technology, and economic development from countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Civil society is represented by leaders such as Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign (USA), and Mohamed Aburawi, founder of the digital health platform Speetar (Libya). Members from the arts, academia, and media also contribute to the multidisciplinary makeup of the class.
The Forum’s YGL initiative provides its members with access to curated leadership modules and interaction with peers across sectors. Participants are encouraged to collaborate on initiatives that involve governance, innovation, and social progress.
To view the complete list of this year’s Young Global Leaders and learn more about the program, visit the official website.
What do you think are the most pressing issues today that this new wave of global leaders should focus on? Join the discussion in the comments.