Beijing, July 2025 — Mohamed Hoodh Ibrahim, the UNESCO IYF Asia Pacific Regional Facilitator and Director of Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development, has been awarded the prestigious Excellence Actions Award at the 2025 World Youth Development Forum, in recognition of his groundbreaking work contributing to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.The award, co-hosted by UNICEF, the All-China Youth Federation (ACYF), and the Suzhou Municipal Government, was part of this year’s global celebration marking 80 years of the United Nations and 30 years of the Action Plan for Global Youth Development. From a pool of over 10,000 applicants worldwide, only 120 global leaders were selected for their outstanding contributions toward sustainable development, youth engagement, and innovative programming aligned with the UN Youth 2030 Agenda and the Global Development Initiative.
Hoodh Ibrahim stood out among international peers for his visionary work through the “YouthSIDE” initiative, an innovative partnership program aimed at fostering youth-led action and cross-border collaboration. His work, rooted in Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, has played a vital role in strengthening international cooperation, particularly between youth networks across South Asia. Through YouthSIDE, Hoodh has led dynamic programs that engage young people in addressing local and regional challenges through sustainable, inclusive, and creative solutions.
At the award ceremony, Mr. Xing Zheming, mentor of Program Cluster 10 on Partnerships for the Goals, praised Hoodh’s efforts:“As the mentor from Program Cluster 10 of the Global Youth Development Programs, I was deeply impressed by the representative from Maldives, for his efforts and systematic approach to resolve urgent issues facing Maldives and many more countries in South Asia.”Felipe Paullier, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the importance of intersectionality in youth-led development:“The complexity of our times demands intersectional solutions, co-created and driven by the diversity of youth voices, experiences, and realities.”
This year’s Forum served not only as a recognition platform but also as a global stage for intergenerational dialogue and cooperation. Nadia Rasheed, Chair of the United Nations Theme Group on Youth and UNFPA Mongolia Country Director, stressed the need to center youth in policymaking:“It is essential that we foster intergenerational solidarity and ensure that youth are not just heard but actively shaping the decisions that define our shared future.”
Among the distinguished guests and speakers were Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences, and Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Beijing Office and Representative to China, DPRK, Japan, Mongolia, and South Korea, underscoring the international significance of the forum and the award.
Hoodh Ibrahim’s recognition marks a proud milestone for the Maldives on the global stage, showcasing how young leaders from small island states are making bold, meaningful contributions to global sustainability and youth empowerment. His win is a testament to the role youth from the Global South are playing in reimagining development, fostering partnerships, and inspiring hope.
As the world moves closer to 2030, Hoodh’s award-winning work is a powerful reminder that youth-led innovation, inclusive partnerships, and cross-border solidarity are essential tools for shaping a sustainable, just, and resilient future.
