Bangladeshi Shomy Hasan Chowdhury named World Economic Forum Young Global Leader 2025

Shomy Hasan Chowdhury, an award-winning WASH Activist and development professional from Bangladesh, has been named to the prestigious World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders (YGL) Class of 2025.

She is one of only 116 individuals under the age of 40 selected globally through a selective process recognising leadership and impact, said a press release.

The Forum of Young Global Leaders, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, recognises trailblazers from diverse sectors including business, government, academia, civil society, and the arts, who are committed to improving the state of the world. The 2025 cohort features heads of state, Grammy-winning artists, unicorn founders, and globally impactful innovators - among them, Bangladesh's own Shomy.

This year's class includes prominent figures such as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand; Simon Harris, Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) of Ireland; Ritesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO of OYO; and environmental artist Von Wong. Shomy joins the ranks of leaders that have previously included Nobel Laureates, Fortune 500 executives, and public servants leading transformational change.

As co-founder of the global nonprofit Awareness 360, Shomy has led initiatives in over 70 countries, mobilizing young people to drive progress on clean water access, sanitation, gender equity, climate action, and youth empowerment, directly impacting over 3 million people through grassroots action and international advocacy.

Shomy's work has been internationally recognized with numerous prestigious accolades. She received the President's Volunteer Service Award (Gold) from former US president Barack Obama, was one of just twenty recipients globally of the Diana Legacy Award, and was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her contributions to social impact. 

She is also a globally renowned public speaker and has been invited to high-level events around the world, including the White House, United Nations Headquarters, and, most recently, Buckingham Palace by His Majesty King Charles, inspiring audiences across six continents and in over 50 countries.

"I am truly honoured to be part of the 2025 Young Global Leaders cohort," said Shomy. 

"At a time when the world is in turmoil, facing compounding crises from climate change to conflict, I hope to meaningfully engage with fellow leaders to advance bold, inclusive, and collaborative solutions that uplift communities and catalyse systemic change."

The YGL Programme is a curated three-year leadership development journey that equips leaders with the tools, networks, and insights to navigate global complexity and lead with confidence, including opportunities to attend the Annual YGL Summit and World Economic Forum meetings, and contribute to insights and research that shape global conversations.

Nicole Schwab, chair of the Board of the Forum of Young Global Leaders Foundation, highlighted the growing influence of this community:

"These exceptional leaders are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of their fields. They represent the values of courage, collaboration and curiosity that the world urgently needs."