AirAsia's Group CEO selected to join Forum of Young Global Leaders

Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia has joined the ranks of 237 of the world’s elite leaders and individuals selected to be a part of the first ever Forum of Young Global Leaders. Tony is one of only 2 Malaysian candidates selected for the Forum.

This new global undertaking, The Forum of Young Global Leaders, brings together outstanding leaders, aged 40 years or younger, who have committed to devote part of their knowledge and energy over the next five years to collectively shape a better future.

Drawn from a pool of 8,000 candidates from around the world, the Young Global Leaders nominated in 2005 have been selected by a nomination committee of 28 eminent international media leaders, including Marjorie Scardino, Arthur Sulzberger, Tom Glocer and Katsuji Ebisawa. The committee is chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

"Rising leaders of today need to forge viable partnerships to spearhead a process of change,” said Her Majesty Queen Rania of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. “The Forum of Young Global Leaders will activate a network of insightful, innovative and energetic young people whose vision and dynamism can usher a future of hope, progress and positive change."

Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia Berhad said, “It is an honour to be a part of the forum for Young Global Leaders, to help in building the foundation for the future. I hope to bring forth Malaysia’s dynamism and foresights as a rapidly developing nation at the Forum, and look forward to share a fruitful and rewarding experience with the rest of the Young Global Leaders.”

The Forum of Young Global Leaders was created by Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, in 2004 to act in close cooperation with the World Economic Forum in their joint commitment to improving the state of the world.

The Young Global Leaders nominated in 2005 form an exciting, powerful network of leaders from 69 different countries: 72 are from Europe, 62 from North America, 49 from Asia, 19 from the Middle East and North Africa, 18 from sub-Saharan Africa and 17 from Latin America.

Reflecting the diversity of stakeholders, the Young Global Leaders nominated in 2005 comprise 57 political leaders, including heads of state, ministers and parliamentarians. From the business sector there are 97 Young Global Leaders, mostly chief executive officers and successful entrepreneurs. The other stakeholders consist of 28 intellectual leaders, 27 societal leaders, 23 active opinion leaders and 5 cultural leaders. Women make up 30% of the entire group.

“We would like to integrate those Young Global Leaders into processes which will allow them to have a real impact on global affairs and to make sure that global decision-making preserves the interests of the next generation,” said Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. “The Forum of Young Global Leaders will be a strong force from all walks of life to shake up traditional thinking and to bring a bold, forward-looking approach to the world.”

The Young Global Leaders will engage in the 2020 Initiative, a comprehensive effort at addressing together the complex challenges of today to shape a better future for our world. The Young Global Leaders will meet for the first time as a community at their Inaugural Summit in Zermatt, Switzerland, 24-28 June 2005, where they will assess current and future trends, risks and opportunities both at global and regional levels. The Young Global Leaders will then develop global strategies and put forward concrete actions to be taken today in order to advance towards a better world by the year 2020.

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