WCS Young Leaders

The World Cities Summit Young Leaders are a nominated group of change-makers from diverse sectors who contribute their expertise and experience to support the next generational leadership for the World Cities Summit and shape the global urban agenda.

The current Young Leaders network and alumni stand at 550+ strong across continents, with members from both public and private sectors such as Mikko Kiesiläinen, Chief Economist for the City of Helsinki, Finland, Estibaliz Luengo Celaya, Director, International Department, Bilbao City Council, and Brice Richard, Strategic Advisory and Smart Cities Lead, Arup.

Young Leaders are nominated through our WCS sponsors, partners and networks. To be nominated
as a Young Leader, one must be:

• Between 20 to 35 years old;

• With a track record as a change-maker or accomplished leader in the urban sector e.g. in government / politics, business, media, academia or other professional fields with an urban dimension related to liveability, sustainability, governance, and planning.

Thank you for all the nominations. Our Call for Nominations has closed.

Young Leaders are nominated to participate in the World Cities Summit 2026 Young Leaders Programme that will be held from Saturday 13 to Tuesday 16 June 2026, at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. Successful nominees will have the opportunity to participate in our programme highlights including:

1. Specially Curated Behind the Scenes Site Visit at an Exclusive Partner Venue
2. Young Leaders Networking Luncheon

3. Young Leaders Symposium
4. Access to:
1.  WCS Mayors Forum, 
2. WCS Exhibition Preview & Reception
3. WCS & Asia Infrastructure Forum Industry Night
4. WCS Closing Plenary
5. WCS Science of Cities Symposium 

We will contact successful Young Leaders directly, with their nominators copied.

Please be informed that airfare, accommodation, ground transportation, selected meals and other related costs will be borne by the individual Young Leader.

For enquiries, please contact Ruth Chong ruth_chong@mnd.gov.sg and Cheryl Lee cheryl_lee@mnd.gov.sg.

A key highlight of the World Cities Summit (WCS), the by-invitation Young Leaders Symposium convenes change-makers and accomplished leaders in the urban sector to explore and discuss issues that shape the global urban agenda.

This year’s theme aligns with the theme for WCS 2026 - Liveable and Sustainable Cities: ACT Now! Accelerate, Collaborate, and Transform - to create more liveable, resilient, and sustainable cities.

In addition to the symposium, the programme includes leadership discussions and networking opportunities with peers and industry leaders.

Stay tuned for more updates.

As invited Young Leaders, we strongly encourage you to attend all the official WCS Young Leaders Symposium programmes stated below.

Day	Programme
Saturday, 13 June 2026	Site Visit & Networking Reception
Sunday, 14 June 2026	Young Leaders Symposium & Networking Lunch WCS Mayors Forum OR Science of Cities Symposium WCS Exhibition Preview and Reception
Monday, 15 June 2026	WCS Plenaries, Tracks & Sessions. Click on this link for more details on the programme.   Entry to these sessions will require a WCS 2026 delegate pass. Invited Young Leaders can access the complete World Cities Summit programme at the special rate of SGD 500 (excluding GST).
Tuesday, 16 June 2026	Fan the Flame: Young Leaders’ Insights @ CLC World Stage  Future Cities Leadership Plenary: ACT Now! WCS & Asia Infrastructure Forum Industry Night

*Please note programme subject to change at organiser's discretion.

Time	Programme
8.15am	Registration
9.00am	Opening Remarks Welcome Remarks by Mr Hugh Lim, Executive Director for Centre for Liveable Cities Opening Address by Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Development & Ministry of Education
9.15am	Panel Discussion and Q&A Navigating Urban Transitions: Leadership Responses to Demographic and Technological Shifts
10.00am	Networking Break
10.15am	Workshop From Insights to Action: What Cities Need During Demographic and Technological Transitions
12.05pm	Closing Remarks
12.15pm	Networking Lunch

	Syed Harun Alhabsyi Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education & Ministry of National Development, Singapore

	Orlando Woods Professor of Geography at the College of Integrative Studies, and Director of the SMU Urban Institute, Singapore Management University

	Syed Harun Alhabsyi Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education & Ministry of National Development, Singapore

	Jordy Chan Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure of French Polynesia

	Rex Richardson Mayor, Long Beach, California

	Nicole Jonic Deputy Mayor, City of Ipswich

	Aidan Wong Assistant Professor of Urban Studies (Education); Programme Co-Director, Master of Sustainability (MST); Basket Coordinator for Cultures of the Modern World; Associate Dean of Students; Urban Fellow (Urban Experiences), SMU Urban Institute