World Bank Youth Summit 2025: New Horizons – Youth-Led Innovation for a Livable Planet

 

Date: May 19-20, 2025
Format: Hybrid (Online and Washington DC)
Deadline: April 15, 2025

The World Bank Group (WBG) Youth Summit will be held for the 12th time and this year will focus on youth-led innovation solutions. Aiming to provide solutions to the biggest challenges facing young people, the summit will bring together thousands of participants to discuss innovations in critical areas such as climate action, digital transformation and creative industries.

Summit Purpose:

To empower young people to bring innovative solutions to development challenges,
To equip them to create and implement impactful projects,
To strengthen dialogue between young people and the World Bank Group and other global stakeholders.

Summit Theme and Sub-Themes:

This year's theme is "New Horizons: Youth-Led Innovation for a Livable Planet" and focuses on three main topics:

Digital Transformation and Data: Contributing to digital equality and economic growth using artificial intelligence, big data and technology.
Climate Action and Resilience: Smart cities, green technologies and sustainable agricultural practices.

Creative Industries: Contributing to economic and social change through art, media and fashion.

The summit will address these sub-themes while also focusing on important topics such as disadvantaged communities, Fragility, Conflict and Violence (FCV) and Partnerships.

Why is it important?

85% of the youth population worldwide lives in low- and middle-income countries. Nearly 800 million young people are at risk of missing out on education and business opportunities. However, youth-led innovations have great potential to create jobs, promote inclusivity and provide solutions to climate change.

Applications to participate in the summit will be accepted until April 15, 2025. Early applications are recommended for those who want to participate in person.

For applications and detailed information, please contact youthsummit@worldbank.org or visit the official website.