UN appoints 17 new “young leaders” for sustainable development
‘The 2025 class of Young Leaders for the SDGs is a powerful testament to the courage, creativity and commitment of young people who are driving real change around the world,’ said Felipe Paullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth.
"From tackling the climate crisis to promoting mental health, redesigning education and advocating for peace, these young leaders are not just responding to today's global challenges: they are actively shaping the future. In this time of deep division and uncertainty, they embody the very spirit of the United Nations: unity, action and hope for a better future," he added.
This is the first cohort selected and announced by the new United Nations Youth Office, building on the legacy of the Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, which launched the initiative in 2016.
Inspiring action
Every two years, 17 young change-makers are chosen for providing solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges and whose leadership contributes to the achievement of the SDGs. Since its launch, the initiative has reached millions of young people around the world, inspiring action and amplifying youth-led innovation and collaboration.
Following a call for applications earlier this year, which attracted more than 33,000 applications from over 150 countries, the SDG 2025 Young Leaders – all aged between 16 and 33 – come from all corners of the globe.
They are artists, founders, community mobilisers, athletes, doctors, peacemakers, entrepreneurs and scientists working in all areas of United Nations action: sustainable development, human rights, peace and security.
The Class of 2025
(in alphabetical order by first name)
- Adelin Pierre – Haiti, 33, he/him: Peacebuilder and environmental activist
- Aishworya Shrestha – Nepal, 28, she/her: Social worker, researcher and co-founder of Heart of Nepal and Antardhoni Nepal
- Anthurium Lewis – Trinidad and Tobago, 16, she/her: Founder of Fruits For Tomorrow and children's rights ambassador
- Dikatauna Kwa – Papua New Guinea, 27, she/her: Biologist, social entrepreneur and founder of the Eda Davara Marine Sanctuary
- Enzo Romero – Peru, 33, he/him: Engineer, innovator and founder of LAT Bionics
- Hafsat (Havfy) Abdullahi – Nigeria, 25, she/her: Award-winning poet
- Jacques Kwibuka – Rwanda, 26, he/him: Advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights; founder of Informed Future Generations
- Mariam Solika – Egypt, 26, she/her: Founder and CEO of THE GOOD NEWS
- Martin Vazquez Jones – Argentina, 30, he/him: Political scientist, environmental activist and co-founder of Río Sustentable
- Nila Ibrahimi – Afghan refugee based in Canada, 18, she/her: Advocate for girls' education; co-founder and president of Her Story
- Panha Theng – Cambodia, 30 years old, she/her: Storyteller, LGBTIQ+ activist and co-founder of Sampi TV
- Sahba El-Shawa – Jordan/Palestine, 32 years old, she/her: Researcher, founder of the Palestinian Space Institute and the Jordanian Space Research Initiative
- Sahira Al-Nahari – Saudi Arabia, 28, she/her: Doctor, health law strategist and founder of Shifā Art
- Stéphane Kulimushi Mutanda – Refugee from the DRC based in Uganda, 19, he/him: Basketball player, coach and founder of the Refugee Basketball Academy
- Suzuka Nakamura – Japan, 25, she/her: Third-generation hibakusha and director of the NGO Borderless Foundation
- Tanatswa Amanda Chikaura – Zimbabwe, 26, she/her: Mental health advocate and founder of the Ndinewe Foundation
- Teodora Mileska – North Macedonia, 25, she/her: Feminist educator and co-founder of PERIOD Skopje
- Source: https://news.un.org/fr/story/2025/10/1157739
