ISLAMABAD March 3, 2010: The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced its Young Global Leaders (YGLs) for 2010. The honor, bestowed each year by the Forum, recognizes and acknowledges up to 200 outstanding young leaders from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world. 

For this year, the Forum has selected 197 YGLs from 72 countries and all stakeholders of society (business, civil society, social entrepreneurs, politics & government, arts & culture, and opinion & media). The new class represents all regions: East Asia (43), South Asia (21), Europe (46), Middle East and North Africa (14), sub-Saharan Africa (17), North America (38) and Latin America (18). This year’s selection has more gender parity than ever, with 38% women.

This year, Pakistan has been awarded with a total of five Young Global Leader awards. They are: Hamid Yar Hiraj, Minister of State for Commerce, Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer of SAMAA TV, one of Pakistan’s leading private news channels, Syed Mustafa Kamal, Mayor of Karachi, Muhammad Tabba, CEO Lucky Cement and Umar Saif, Founder of Saif Center for Innovation.

“The World Economic Forum is a true multi-stakeholder community of global decision-makers in which the Young Global Leaders represent the voice for the future and the hopes of the next generation. The diversity of the YGL community and its commitment to shaping a better future through action-oriented initiatives of public interest is even more important at a time when the world is in need of new energy to solve intractable challenges,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.

Among the 2010 honorees, Hamid Yar Hiraj brings with him a vast experience of International Finance, Economics, Immigration Law and Politics. His strong governmental leadership has played an important role in contributing to the national economy through trade liberalization and facilitation, improving export competiveness and reducing cost of doing business. 

Hiraj is also known for leading the way towards achieving higher market access for Pakistani products in existing markets as well as new markets with ultimate aim of improving quality of life of the people of Pakistan. 

The selection of Amir Jahangir has been based on his profound leadership quality in carrying out innovative communication models addressing socio-economic issues and improving Pakistan’s competitiveness. His previous work with the Competitiveness Support Fund, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), established to reposition Pakistan economy on a more global competitive footing, resulted in building the capacity of Pakistani media in joint collaboration with the Innovation Journalism Program at Stanford University, California, USA. CSF is a partner institution of WEF.

Jahangir also developed the first ever strategy for the Executive Opinion Survey in joint collaboration with Harvard Business School. His strategy aimed at engaging academia into the indicator ranking of competitiveness and has ensured that both the soft and hard data of Pakistan is accurately reported to the WEF and improve Pakistan’s global competitiveness ranking. His communication strategies have contributed immensely in creating awareness on innovation and competitiveness in Pakistan along with his landmark initiatives in media aimed at promoting responsible reporting and solution-oriented programs based on the voice of marginalized communities.

Speaking on the occasion, Arthur Bayhan, Chief Executive Officer of CSF said: “Pakistan is, despite the many current security and socio-economic challenges, a country of opportunities. We need to focus on creating partnerships and programs which will instill sustainability in the national development plan for which we need inspiring young leaders, who can take on this responsibility and contribute through their expertise and skills. These young leaders will also serve as an inspiration to the new generation to strive towards economic growth and national excellence”.

The selection committee comprised the world’s top professionals and was chaired by Her Majesty ueen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

This honor is bestowed by the WEF each year to recognize the most distinguished young leaders nominated below the age of 40 from around the world.  

The selections were carried out after carefully screening more than 5000 profiles of young leaders from every region of the world and from a myriad of disciplines and sectors. 

The selected YGL honorees will be joining The Forum of Young Global Leaders as active community members. The YGL community forms a unique global network of peers from diverse backgrounds and fields, with a highly visible opportunity to significantly impact world affairs and shape the global agenda. 

Every year the Young Global Leaders participate in annual summits where approximately 200 YGLs from around the globe meet to learn with each other and from each other within a global network of peers. The Forum of YGL organizes regular events throughout the year including the YGL Summits, which provide an opportunity for fellow YGLs to meet, share ideas and discuss ways to collectively shape the future.

The Kennedy School Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century Module provides a convening opportunity for the YGLs to gain critical skills and knowledge in key issue areas as well as leadership skills. This year the 2010 YGL Annual Summit will take place in Tanzania from May 2-7.