Bethalyn Kelly – a young leader from Solomon Islands – has been nominated for the prestigious Commonwealth Youth Award.
Twenty extraordinary young individuals, including social entrepreneurs, climate advocates, innovators, and community health champions from across the Commonwealth, have been shortlisted for the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work.
The top regional winners and the much-anticipated Commonwealth Young Person of the Year will be announced at a special ceremony on 12 March 2025, hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC. You can watch the livestream on YouTube and Facebook.
The Commonwealth Youth Awards recognise the exceptional contributions of young people to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing development in their communities and beyond.
This year, the adjudication process garnered an overwhelming response. Over 800 applications were carefully reviewed by a panel of 54 Pan-Commonwealth adjudicators, and from an initial shortlist of 31, the 20 finalists were selected.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, congratulated the 20 finalists who represent every region of the Commonwealth, saying:
“Our young people have shown genuine innovation and commitment in striving to make the Commonwealth fairer, more secure, more sustainable, and more prosperous. Their projects demonstrate the great potential of 1.7 billion young people across the Commonwealth.
We are delighted to recognise, nurture, and support them by offering platforms like the Youth Awards to showcase their potential to the world.”
Celebrating young trailblazers
The awards are one of the ways in which the Commonwealth Secretariat works to empower, engage and encourage as well as amplify the voices and work of youth across the 56 member states.
This year, the Khalili Foundation and the Commonwealth Foundation have partnered to amplify the finalists’ work across continents further and help them scale up their success.
The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Head of Social Policy Development, Layne Robinson, said:
“The Commonwealth continues to celebrate young people as valuable assets to society—problem solvers addressing global challenges with creativity and courage. While we honour this year’s winners, we acknowledge over 800 applicants who, although they may not receive the top prizes, are making a real difference in their communities.”
The Youth Awards will be one of the key events to commemorate Commonwealth Day taking place on 10 March 2025, celebrated by millions across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
Next steps
The awards will be presented in person at Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, and will be attended by senior government officials, youth leaders, and other stakeholders.
The 2025 regional finalists, listed in alphabetical order and by region, are:
Africa
- Comfort Peace Ayikoru (Uganda)
- Faith Kuya (Tanzania)
- Fredrick Kioko Kilonzo (Kenya)
- Stanley Anigbogu (Nigeria)
Asia
- Keyaan Shah (India)
- Murad Ansary (Bangladesh)
- Putri Humairah Binti Monashofian Putra (Malaysia)
- Smriti Bhaya (India)
Caribbean
- Joshua Andall (Grenada)
- Kache Hanna (The Bahamas)
- Nicholas Kee (Jamaica)
- Romario Simpson (Jamaica)
Europe and Canada
- Christopher Lee (Canada)
- Justin Langan (Canada)
- Rateb Ajamieh (Canada)
- Zubair Junjunia (United Kingdom)
Pacific
- Bethalyn Kelly (Solomon Islands)
- Jack Anderson (Australia)
- Malaki Tito (Samoa)
- Ruby Riethmuller (Australia)
The Commonwealth Foundation shall also provide up to £30,000 in funding to support the awards.
- Commonwealth Press
