United Nations Youth Office Announces 17 New Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations announced on UN Day, the 5^th cohort of 17 Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This marks the first cohort to be selected and announced by the newly established 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.

Every two years, the United Nations Youth Office recognizes 17 exceptional young changemakers who are driving solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges and whose leadership is helping to advance the achievement of the SDGs. Since its inception, the initiative has reached millions of young people around the globe, inspiring action and amplifying youth-led innovation and collaboration.

Following an open call for applications earlier this year, which captured more than 33,000 applications from over 150 countries, the 2025 Young Leaders for the SDGs — who are all between 16 and 33 years of age — hail from all corners of the world. They are artists, founders, community mobilizers, athletes, physicians, peacebuilders, entrepreneurs, and scientists working across all pillars of the United Nations: sustainable development, human rights, and peace and security.

“The 2025 cohort of Young Leaders for the SDGs is a powerful testament to the courage, creativity and commitment of young people driving real change in every corner of the world,” said Felipe Paullier, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. “From confronting the climate crisis and advancing mental health, to reimagining education and championing peace, these young leaders are not just responding to today’s global challenges – they are actively reshaping the future. At a time of deep division and uncertainty, they embody the very spirit of the United Nations: unity, action and hope for a better tomorrow.”

The 2025 Cohort of Young Leaders for the SDGs, in alphabetical order by first name:

• Adelin Pierre – Haiti, 33 years old, he/him:
  Peacebuilder & Environmental Activist

• Aishworya Shrestha – Nepal, 28 years old, she/her:
  Social Worker, Researcher & Co-founder of Heart of Nepal and Antardhoni Nepal

• Anthurium Lewis – Trinidad and Tobago, 16 years old, she/her:
  Founder of Fruits For Tomorrow & Child’s Rights Ambassador

• Dikatauna Kwa – Papua New Guinea, 27 years old,she/her:
  Biologist, Social Entrepreneur & Founder of Eda Davara Marine Sanctuary

• Enzo Romero – Peru, 33 years old, he/him:
  Mechatronics Engineer, Bionic Innovator & Founder of LAT Bionics

• Hafsat (Havfy) Abdullahi– Nigeria, 25 years old, she/her:
  Multi-Award-Winning Performance Poet

• Jacques Kwibuka – Rwanda, 26 years old, he/him:
  Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Advocate; Founder of Informed Future Generations

• Mariam Solika – Egypt, 26 years old, she/her:
  Founder and CEO of THE GOOD NEWS

• Martin Vazquez Jones – Argentina, 30 years old, he/him:
  Political Scientist, Environmental Activist & Co-Founder of Río Sustentable

• Nila Ibrahimi – Afghan refugee based in Canada, 18 years old, she/her:
  Advocate for Girls’ Education; Co-founder and President of Her Story

• Panha Theng – Cambodia, 30 years old, she/her:
  Storyteller, LGBTIQ+ Activist & Co-Founder of Sampi TV

• Sahba El-Shawa – Jordan/Palestine, 32 years old, she/her:
  Space and Sustainability Researcher; Founder of the Palestine Space Institute & the Jordan Space Research Initiative

• Sahira Al-Nahari – Saudi Arabia, 28 years old, she/her:
  Physician, Health Law Strategist & Founder of Shifā Art

• Stephane Kulimushi Mutanda – DRC refugee based in Uganda, 19 years old, he/him:
  Basketball Player, Coach & Founder of the Refugee Basketball Academy

• Suzuka Nakamura – Japan, 25 years old, she/her:
  Third-Generation Hibakusha & Director of NPO Borderless Foundation

• Tanatswa Amanda Chikaura – Zimbabwe, 26 years old, she/her:
  Mental Health Advocate & Founder of Ndinewe Foundation

• Teodora Mileska – North Macedonia, 25 years old, she/her:
  Feminist Educator & Co-Founder of PERIOD Skopje

A Distinguished Judges Panel, composed of influential leaders from across the entertainment industry, private sector, civil society, government and beyond, provided invaluable inputs and feedback as part of the selection process.

The Distinguished Judges Panel includes: Aminata Touré (Prime Minister of Senegal, 2013-2014, and Member of the Club de Madrid), Carlos Alvarado Quesada (President of Costa Rica, 2018 – 2022, and Member of Club de Madrid), DJ Cuppy (international DJ and philanthropist), Gemma Styles (author and mental health advocate), Her Heighness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar (Chairperson of Education Above All Foundation and SDG Advocate), Hindou Ibrahim (President of the Indigenous Women and Peoples association of Chad and SDG Advocate), Rodrigo Pacheco (chef, agrifood sustainability visionary and innovator), Sanjana Sanghi (actor and UNDP India Youth Champion), Sara Takanashi (ski jumper), and Will Poulter (actor).