INTERNATIONAL AWARDS SERIES FOR CHANGE LEADERS
WEJ Awards 2025 is a prestigious international award series established by World Economic Journal. It celebrates achievements that shape the future of the economy, technology, public health, sustainability, and leadership.
The awards are granted to companies, public institutions, business leaders, and influential experts whose decisions and initiatives have a real impact on global progress.
In 2025, the WEJ Awards scale up to a new level: instead of one award as in 2024, the series now includes twelve individual awards. This first announcement introduces five out of twelve award categories that will define the WEJ Awards 2025:
• WEJ Investment Award 2025
• WEJ Innovation Award 2025
• WEJ Technology Award 2025
• WEJ Women Award 2025
• WEJ Health Award 2025
Each award includes multiple categories that highlight transformative practices across key sectors and regions. The mission of WEJ Awards is to recognize leading innovators, investors, and decision-makers shaping tomorrow’s world.
LEGACY AND CONTINUITY: WEJ AWARDS 2024
For over 15 years, World Economic Journal has been highlighting transformative global trends, publishing analytical reports, and ranking the people and institutions that drive change.
In 2024, the WEJ Awards were aligned with a core principle: the power of inclusive and equitable institutions as a driver of long-term progress. The awards were inspired by the groundbreaking work of Daron Acemoğlu, Nobel Prize laureate in economics and WEJ Person of the Year 2024.
“I definitely believe that we need more research into emerging markets, and hence, World Economic Journal plays a very important role. The world is changing fast, and there is a danger that trends in AI, globalization, and geopolitics can adversely affect emerging markets. This is an important topic for research.” — Daron Acemoğlu, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and Institute Professor of Economics at MIT
The 2024 awards honored leaders who advanced projects that foster inclusion, opportunity, and structural transformation — across governance, technology, education, security, and sustainable development.
ORGANIZERS AND SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS
WINNERS OF WEJ AWARDS 2024
DARON ACEMOĞLU, NOMINATION: PERSON OF THE YEAR
2024 Nobel laureate in economics and Institute Professor of Economics at MIT. For studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity.
HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH KHALED BIN MOHAMED BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN, NOMINATION: EMPLOYMENT
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council
For launching the Mawaheb Talent Hub, an AI-powered employment platform for underrepresented talents.
CLARA BRUGADA, NOMINATION: SOCIETY
Mayor of Mexico City
For the UTOPÍAS project — community centers aimed at reducing inequality and revitalizing public life.
SILVIA GRECCO, NOMINATION: PUBLIC SERVICES
Secretary for Persons with Disabilities, São Paulo
For establishing 24/7 sign language interpretation centers enabling access to public services.
TARIQ HILAL AL BARWANI, NOMINATION: LABOR MARKETS
Founder of Knowledge Oman
For creating the KO Academy to connect academic knowledge with real-world skills for youth.
JOYCE LIU, NOMINATION: TECHNOLOGY
Director of TECH4ALL Digital Inclusion Program Office, Huawei
For implementing TECH4ALL — promoting inclusive education and reducing the digital divide.
SERGEI SOBYANIN, NOMINATION: CITY
Mayor of Moscow
For inclusive urban development and accessible infrastructure for all residents.
SHIFERAW TEKLEMARIAM, NOMINATION: SECURITY
Commissioner, Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Commission
For launching an inclusive early warning system for vulnerable communities.
CHRISTEL HEYDEMANN, NOMINATION: AI
CEO of Orange Group
For adapting AI-based language tools to support African languages and digital inclusion.
PETRA OLSCHOWSKI, NOMINATION: DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Minister of Science, Research and the Arts, Baden-Württemberg
For the Citizens’ Jury on AI — promoting ethical governance and public participation in AI policymaking.
STEVE ADLER, NOMINATION: HOUSING
Former Mayor of Austin, Texas
For pioneering a housing investment model to support essential low-income workers.
YVONNE AKI-SAWYERR, NOMINATION: ENVIRONMENT
Mayor of Freetown
For the Transform Freetown plan — focusing on climate resilience, reforestation, and job creation.
CLAUDIA LÓPEZ HERNÁNDEZ, NOMINATION: GENDER INCLUSION
Former Mayor of Bogotá
For launching Care Blocks — neighborhood-based support centers for unpaid caregivers.
WEJ INVESTMENT AWARD 2025
RECOGNIZING STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
The WEJ Investment Award 2025 celebrates individuals, institutions, and projects that drive long-term development through impactful investment strategies. This award highlights the role of investment as a core mechanism for economic transformation, infrastructure advancement, regional modernization, and cross-border cooperation. The award is particularly relevant to emerging markets, where investment serves as a catalyst for industrial renewal, export potential, and institutional evolution.
AWARD CATEGORIES:
1. I ndustrial or productionoriented investment initiative;
2. Infrastructure or logistics project with long-term impact;
3. Regional or national investment promotion program;
4. Cross-border investment partnership with sustainable outcomes;
5. Digital platform or service in the field of investment;
6. Individual contribution to investment climate development.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Nominations for the WEJ Investment Award 2025 are open until September 30, 2025
WEJ INNOVATION AWARD 2025
HONORING BREAKTHROUGH IDEAS THAT DRIVE SYSTEMIC CHANGE
The WEJ Innovation Award 2025 recognizes outstanding achievements in innovation that have delivered measurale results and lasting societal value. The award highlights initiatives that go beyond technological novelty — rewarding systemic approaches that transform public administration, education, sustainability, and community engagement.
This award is intended for those who bring innovation to life through meaningful impact.
AWARD CATEGORIES:
1. Innovation in public or regional governance;
2. Digital solution with verified social or environmental results;
3. Institutional reform through innovative management models;
4. Educational program or EdTech initiative with measurable outcomes;
5. Sustainable development framework applied in practice;
6. Technology or service that promotes inclusion and accessibility.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Nominations for the WEJ Innovation Award 2025 are open until September 30, 2025
WEJ TECHNOLOGY AWARD 2025
CELEBRATING TECHNOLOGIES THAT SHAPE RESILIENT AND INCLUSIVE FUTURE
The WEJ Technology Award 2025 recognizes technology-driven solutions that accelerate progress across critical sectors: economy, infrastructure, governance, ecology, and social sustainability.
This award highlights the strategic role of digitalization, automation, artificial intelligence, and open technologies in enabling transparent, inclusive, and efficient systems — both in the public and private sectors.
AWARD CATEGORIES:
1. Technology for sustainable development or ESG analytics;
2. Automation or digitalization system in industry or logistics;
3. Open-source and digital sovereignty initiative;
4. Urban technology or Smart City platform;
5. Risk management and sustainability monitoring tool;
6. AI or big data application for public governance.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Nominations for the WEJ Technology Award 2025 are open until September 30, 2025
WEJ WOMEN AWARD 2025
RECOGNIZING WOMEN LEADERS DRIVING CHANGE ACROSS SECTORS AND SOCIETIES
The WEJ Women Award 2025 honors women whose leadership has made a lasting impact in economics, science, governance, public policy, and international cooperation.
The award emphasizes values-based leadership, strategic thinking, inclusion, and tangible results that inspire future generations and promote gender equality.
This award celebrates women who not only lead — but transform the spaces they lead in.
AWARD CATEGORIES:
1. Leadership initiative in government, business, or public administration;
2. Project advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment;
3. Social or educational program designed for women and girls;
4. Contribution to inclusive technology, services, or industrial models;
5. International cooperation involving women in executive roles;
6. Personal impact on achieving the SDGs through women’s leadership.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Nominations for the WEJ Women Award 2025 are open until September 30, 2025
WEJ HEALTH AWARD 2025
HONORING EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE TRANSFORMATION AND HEALTHTECH INNOVATION
The WEJ Health Award 2025 recognizes impactful solutions that strengthen healthcare systems, improve access to medical services, and enhance public well-being.
The award highlights cross-sectoral innovations at the intersection of medicine, digital technologies, governance, and sustainability — from telemedicine and healthtech platforms to ESG integration in healthcare institutions.
This award reflects the growing importance of health as a pillar of resilient development.
AWARD CATEGORIES:
1. Digital health or telemedicine initiative;
2. Public health monitoring or management system;
3. Regional program for prevention and health education;
4. Integration of ESG principles in healthcare strategy;
5. Biomedical or healthtech development with proven impact;
6. Leadership or decision that improved access to care.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Nominations for the WEJ Health Award 2025 are open until September 30, 2025
Contact:
wej@world-economic.com
Submission: https://world-economic.com/awards
CEREMONY FORMAT AND GLOBAL LOCATIONS
The WEJ Awards 2025 ceremonies are held in a hybrid format — offering both in-person and online participation.
Winners and finalists participating remotely will receive official trophies and diplomas by international delivery. In-person recognition events and award presentations are held in the following global locations:
Geneva · Madrid · Barcelona · Valencia · Hong Kong
October to December 2025
WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?
• Representatives of government bodies, cities, and regional authorities;
• Companies, innovation teams, and entrepreneurs;
• Academic, nonprofit, and civil society organizations;
• Individual leaders advancing meaningful projects.
RECOGNITION. VISIBILITY. IMPACT.
WEJ Awards 2025 is more than a series of awards — it’s a global platform that amplifies the voices of change-makers, showcases bold solutions, and strengthens a new generation of leadership committed to sustainability, innovation, and responsibility.
In an era shaped by complexity, WEJ Awards bring together those who drive clarity and progress.
If you’re building something that truly transforms your field, community, or region — we invite you to nominate. We are looking for those who not only act — but inspire, influence, and lead transformation.
wej@world-economic.com
https://world-economic.com/awards
LEGAL NOTICE:
WEJ Awards® is a registered trademark of the World Economic Journal. All visual identity, award names, and materials are protected under international copyright. Use without permission is strictly prohibited.
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