Alexander De Croo chosen as Young Global Leader

Alexander De Croo, the federal minister of development co-operation and communications, has been chosen by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a Young Global Leader for 2015.

The Forum of Young Global Leaders was created in 2004 by the Swiss-based WEF to establish an exclusive network of people under the age of 40 with expert knowledge in areas such as economics, technology and international co-operation.

De Croo (pictured), 39, joins 187 professionals who have been chosen this year as Young Global Leaders. He is expected to focus on international development, human rights, inclusive economic growth and digital strategies in development policy.

The politician of the Flemish Open-VLD party had previously played a role in the WEF as vice-chair of the Global Agenda Council on Ageing, a think tank devoted to the challenges of an ageing population.

Other Belgians who have previously served as Young Global Leaders include De Croo’s fellow liberal party member Vincent Van Quickenborne, Dries Buytaert (who founded the open source content management system Drupal) and Queen Mathilde.

Other Young Global Leaders this year include Naomi Koshi, Japan’s youngest female mayor, Smriti Irani, the youngest member of India’s cabinet, and cutting-edge South African architect Mokena Makeka.

photo by Pan Yulong/Xinhua Press/Corbis