One Young World Summit

In November 2026, the One Young World Summit returns to Africa for the first time since Johannesburg 2013, with Cape Town set to host the Summit. Taking place as South Africa marks 50 years since the Soweto Youth Uprising, the Summit will honour this legacy and celebrate the young leaders shaping our future through innovation, entrepreneurship, and bold action.

As Africa’s most business-friendly city and a strategic gateway between emerging and developed markets, Cape Town is the ideal setting for this global gathering. Welcoming over 8 million international visitors each year and recognised as the continent’s leading destination for world-class events, the city offers a vibrant and inspiring backdrop for next-generation leadership dialogue.

With its breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality rooted in Ubuntu, South Africa is ready to welcome the world.

Watch as young leaders from around the world gather, collaborate, and take action, turning ideas into impact across every session of the One Young World Summit.

One Young World isn’t just an event. It’s a lifelong community. Delegates graduate as One Young World Ambassadors, gaining access to:

A global network of over 20,500 changemakers
Continued support and visibility for their work
Ongoing opportunities to collaborate, scale projects, and drive change

The world's biggest and most impactful youth leadership Summit.

CNBC

Who Attends?

Young leaders aged 18–35 who are making an impact in business, NGOs, education, healthcare, and public service.

Counsellors, who are influential leaders, visionaries, and changemakers who inspire and guide the next generation.

Partner organisations, including leading global brands and institutions, that mentor and support Delegates.

What to Expect

Dynamic discussions where young leaders drive action on climate justice, peacebuilding, equity, health, technology, and human rights

World-renowned speakers including heads of state, activists, CEOs, and thought leaders, known as One Young World Counsellors

Powerful Plenary Sessions, interactive workshops, and networking forums

For world-leaders, by world-leaders

Every young leader who attends demonstrates a proven track record of working towards building a fair and sustainable future for all.

Our Delegates are counselled by internationally renowned, impact-driven experts from big business, politics, tech, finance, international development, human rights and conservation.

We’re also joined by famous faces, using their celebrity to make a difference, who use their spotlight to shine a light on the work of our incredible young leaders.

Terry Crews

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan

Maria Ressa

Sir Bob Geldof

Ilia Calderón

Rio Ferdinand

James Chau

Professor Thuli Madonsela

President Juan Manuel Santos

Justin Trudeau

Dame Jane Goodall

Kofi Annan

Attend the Summit

Whether you're a young leader looking to make your mark, or an organisation ready to invest in the next generation, the One Young World Summit is a catalyst for action.

Agenda

The One Young World Summit brings together the world’s brightest young leaders to tackle today’s most pressing issues. From keynote speeches and plenary speeches to workshops and networking sessions, the agenda is designed to spark dialogue, share solutions, and drive action on a global scale.

Read the agenda

1. The Circular Economy

How can we accelerate the shift to circular systems to tackle the Climate Crisis?

The concept of circularity and the circular economy represents a transformative shift in how societies produce, consume, and manage resources. By keeping materials in use for as long as possible, extracting maximum value from them, and recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of their lifecycle, circularity offers a sustainable alternative to resource-intensive practices. Globally, its adoption is growing, but challenges remain.

2. Anti-Hate

What actions are needed to tackle hate in society?

Hate and hate-related crimes have been rising globally, underscoring deepening societal divisions and the persistence of prejudice. The rise in hate crimes is driven by various factors, including political polarisation, the spread of divisive ideologies on social media, and international conflicts. Set against this backdrop of increasing levels of hatred, what should be the response of governments and societies worldwide?

3. Responsible Tech

How can we use AI and other new technologies responsibly?

At the 2024 One Young World Summit in Montréal/Tiohtià:ke, Godfather of AI, Yoshua Bengio, announced that he believed generative artificial intelligence had now passed the Turing Test - the point at which machine learning and behaviour became indistinguishable from that of a human being. What can we do to make sure that AI and other new technologies are developed in a socially responsible manner?

4. Education

How can we spread and accelerate access to education for all?

Access to education is a fundamental human right, yet millions of young people worldwide are denied this opportunity due to poverty, gender inequality, and disability. Despite global initiatives and advancements, significant disparities persist, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised groups. With this in mind what can we do improve access to education for all.

5. Peace and Security

How can young leaders drive global cooperation for a safer world?

For the first time ever in a One Young World Global Consultation Process, when respondents were asked about which was the biggest existential threat facing humanity, the Climate Crisis polled below 50% with one if five young leaders now believing Nuclear War to be the biggest threat. This mirrors the striking news from the Bulletin of Atomic Sciences which set the 2025 Doomsday Clock at 89 seconds to midnight. Therefore, how can we leverage young leaders to be at the forefront of international cooperation, to build a safer, more peaceful world?

Venues

The One Young World Summit 2025 in Munich will take place across some of the city’s most iconic venues, with sessions also accessible digitally via our Summit platform.

The Olympic Park, built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, is renowned for its iconic tent-like structures and remains a vibrant recreational and cultural venue for world-class events.

The ICM Messe Munich is a 100% green energy venue, with state-of-the-art technology, located just outside the heart of the city.

All hotels part of the One Young World accommodation package are within walking or short metro/bus transfer from the ICM Messe Munich.

Iconic architecture, an exciting far well program, and visionary ideas. You won't soon forget the closing party at BMW Welt. Be amazed by the impressive and diverse architecture of the building and experience the passion when BMW and the One Young World come together for the final Munich highlight.

Join 2,200+ young leaders from 190+ countries to spark change

About the upcoming Summit

Take a look at the highlights from our Summit in Montréal/Tiohtià:ke, Canada, 2024

Impact Beyond the Summit

Who Attends?

What to Expect