According to Minister Keldo, the recognition came as a surprise, but he sees it as a valuable opportunity to amplify Estonia’s global presence.
“For a small country like Estonia, it’s crucial to be visible on the global stage and to have our voice heard. For me, the added value of this title lies precisely in that. This recognition opens doors to influential networks and provides a new platform through which to share our digital success story and present Estonia as a hub of innovation. It helps attract potential partners and investors — both for our state and our companies. What we’ve achieved together so far clearly demonstrates that, despite our size, we play in the big leagues. We’ve accomplished more on the international stage than one might expect — in IT, technology, education, and diplomacy. We must stay the course, and I will continue to contribute to that every day through my work,” said Keldo.
This year’s cohort includes standout individuals from nearly 50 countries, spanning a wide range of sectors. Among them are government leaders, founders of successful tech unicorns, award-winning musicians, and other talents from civil society, the arts, and the sciences. The 2025 Young Global Leaders were selected from among 1,000 candidates.
As laureates, the selected individuals join a global network of over 1,400 influential members from more than 120 countries. The community includes heads of state, Nobel laureates, Fortune 500 executives, and many others. In addition, Young Global Leaders participate in a three-year development program that includes leadership training at top universities, involvement in public-private initiatives, and participation in key events — including the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos.
The Young Global Leader title is awarded to individuals under 40 who have reached impactful and responsible positions within their fields, who have pushed boundaries, demonstrated visionary and inspirational leadership, and created positive change.
Previous Estonian recipients include former Prime Minister Juhan Parts in 2005 and Kristo Käärmann, co-founder of Wise, in 2020. Erkki Keldo is the first Estonian to become an active member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.
The Forum of Young Global Leaders was established in 2004 by Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, with the goal of fostering global development and prosperity through collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
The World Economic Forum is an independent, non-profit organization that brings together business, political, and thought leaders committed to addressing global challenges. Its mission is to improve the state of the world by promoting economic growth and social progress.
