World Bank Group (WBG) Youth Summit 2026 Speaker Applications Now Open: Shape the Future of Jobs in the Digital Age

The World Bank Group (WBG) Youth Summit 2026 is now inviting applications for speakers to join one of the most influential global platforms for youth-led development dialogue. If you are a young leader, practitioner, entrepreneur, or researcher working on employment, innovation, or inclusive development, this is your opportunity to contribute to shaping global conversations.

About the WBG Youth Summit

The WBG Youth Summit is the World Bank’s largest annual event dedicated to young people aged 18–35. It brings together emerging leaders, experts, and changemakers from around the world to explore practical solutions to global development challenges.

The Summit features:

• High-level plenary sessions with global experts

• Interactive workshops and hands-on labs

• A pitch competition for innovative ideas

• Networking opportunities with World Bank staff and partners

Theme for 2026: FutureWorks – Designing Jobs for the Digital Age

The 2026 Summit focuses on a critical global challenge: creating sustainable and inclusive employment opportunities for the 1.2 billion young people expected to enter the workforce over the next decade.

The agenda will explore how innovation, policy, and investment can come together to generate quality jobs in a rapidly changing world.

Key Focus Areas

The Summit will center on the following thematic areas:

• Education and Skills Development

• Entrepreneurship and Job Creation

• Agriculture and Agribusiness

• Technology and Innovation

• Development Financing

• Fragility, Conflict, and Violence

Speakers are expected to provide practical, action-oriented insights that demonstrate how these sectors can contribute to inclusive and sustainable employment for youth.

Call for Speakers: Who Should Apply

The Youth Summit Committee is seeking individuals who can contribute meaningful perspectives and real-world solutions. Ideal candidates include:

• Young professionals and emerging leaders

• Entrepreneurs and startup founders

• Researchers and academics

• Development practitioners and policy experts

• Innovators working in digital, agricultural, or financial sectors

Applicants should have demonstrated experience or ideas related to job creation, digital transformation, or youth economic empowerment.

Why You Should Apply

Selected speakers will have the opportunity to:

• Share their work on a global stage

• Influence conversations on youth employment and development

• Connect with international organizations, policymakers, and innovators

• Contribute to shaping solutions for the future of work

How to Apply

Interested applicants can submit their speaker nominations through the official application form:

• Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuLkpCPPg6UZxDq0kqaW5gQL9Rgs_zeTQzdAkKpVUlCACwzg/viewform

Applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate their expertise, experience, and the unique insights they can bring to the Summit.

Application Deadline

• Deadline to apply: 1 May 2026

About the World Bank Group Youth Summit

The Youth Summit is a flagship initiative of the World Bank Group aimed at amplifying youth voices in global development. It serves as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange, helping to bridge the gap between young leaders and global decision-makers.

• Learn more: https://www.worldbank.org/youthsummit

• Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuLkpCPPg6UZxDq0kqaW5gQL9Rgs_zeTQzdAkKpVUlCACwzg/viewform

If you are working on solutions that address employment, digital transformation, or inclusive growth, this is a unique opportunity to contribute to a global dialogue that drives real impact. Apply now and be part of shaping the future of work for the next generation.