Meet the 2025 Cohort of Young Leaders for the SDGs

Headshots of diverse young people set against a black background with geometrical shapes and the text "Young Leaders 2025 cohort"

Following an open call for applications earlier this year, which resulted in more than 33,000 applications from over 150 countries, our 2025 cohort of Young Leaders for the SDGs hail from all corners of the world and work across all pillars of the UN.

The cohort — all between the ages of 16 and 33 years old — includes founders, community mobilizers, peacebuilders, entrepreneurs and creators, among others, who working on cross-cutting sustainable development issues such as gender equality, human rights, climate change and peace and security.

A young woman wearing a black hijab and black shirt, against a yellow geometric background.

Sahira Al-Nahari

(she/her/hers)
Physician, Health Law Strategist & Founder of Shifā Art

Portrait of a smiling young woman with long dark hair, wearing a light blue striped shirt, set against a background with a geometric blue shape.

Sahba El-Shawa

(she/her/hers)
Space and Sustainability Researcher; Founder of the Palestine Space Institute & the Jordan Space Research Initiative

A young woman with long hair and a gray blazer, posing against a background with a blue geometric shape.

Nila Ibrahimi

(she/her/hers)
Advocate for Girls' Education and Co-founder and President of Her Story

A smiling woman with glasses wearing a patterned shirt poses against a red geometric background, showcasing her confident style.

Dikatauna Kwa

(she/her/hers)
Biologist, Social Entrepreneur & Founder of Eda Davara Marine Sanctuary

A young man with brown skin and wearing a blue shirt, smiling confidently in front of a green geometric background.

Jacques Kwibuka

(he/him/his)
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Advocate & Founder of Informed Future Generations

A confident woman with brown skin and a bun hairstyle, wearing a white blazer over a black shirt, stands against a background with a red geometric shape.

Anthurium Lewis

(she/her/hers)
Founder of Fruits For Tomorrow & Child’s Rights Ambassador

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Teodora Mileska

(she/her/hers)
Feminist Educator and Co-Founder of PERIOD Skopje

A young woman with black hair and wearing a gray blazer smiles in front of a pink geometric background.

Suzuka Nakamura

(she/her/hers)
Third-Generation Hibakusha and Director of NPO Borderless Foundation

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Aishworya Shrestha

(she/her/hers)
Social Worker, Researcher & Co-founder of Heart of Nepal and Antardhoni Nepal

A smiling woman with long dark hair and glasses, wearing a black shirt against a green geometric backdrop.

Panha Theng

(she/her/hers)
Storyteller, LGBTIQ+ Activist & Co-Founder of Sampi TV

A young man with curly hair, wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, smiles while dressed in a green T-shirt with a logo reading 'RIO'.

Martin Vazquez Jones

(he/him/his)
Political Scientist, Environmental Activist & Co-Founder of Río Sustentable