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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.

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Hafsat (Havfy) Abdullahi

(she/her/hers)
Multi-Award-Winning Performance Poet

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

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Tanatswa Amanda Chikaura

(she/her/hers)
Mental Health Advocate and Founder of Ndinewe Foundation

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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

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Stephane Kulimushi Mutanda

(he/him/his)
Basketball Player, Coach & Founder of the Refugee Basketball Academy

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Dikatauna Kwa

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

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Jacques Kwibuka

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

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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

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Suzuka Nakamura

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

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Adelin Pierre

(he/him/his)
Peacebuilder and Environmental Activist

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Enzo Romero Muñiz

(he/him/his)
Mechatronics Engineer and Bionic Innovator

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Aishworya Shrestha

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

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Mariam Solika

(she/her/hers)
Founder and CEO of THE GOOD NEWS

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Panha Theng

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

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Martin Vazquez Jones

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