April 13, 2025 – New York City, USA – The Columbia University Global Summit on Sustainable Development, themed “Advancing Human Civilization: Connecting Our Future,” convened at the iconic Low Memorial Library, drawing over 500 distinguished leaders and youth changemakers from 30+ countries and regions. Delegates from Morgan Stanley, PwC, KPMG, BNP Paribas, JPMorgan, CATL, and Gotion High-Tech joined academic and governmental figures to explore solutions for advancing the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through technological innovation, green finance, and global cooperation.
At the summit’s prestigious annual awards ceremony, Mr. Gates Yao, President of the International Commonweal Support Organization (ICSO), was honored with the “2025 Columbia University Sustainable Development Leader”award. He was also selected for the global “25 Under 25” list, recognizing rising leaders making significant contributions to public good and sustainability.
Since founding ICSO, Mr. Yao has been at the forefront of addressing global education inequality and integrating sustainable development principles through scalable, youth-driven solutions. He is the architect of the “Action Capital”framework, a novel concept that aligns youth innovation with global resources to drive systemic change. Under his leadership, ICSO has launched cross-border initiatives such as the Global Youth for Common Good, Green Campus International Alliance, and Digital Empowerment for Philanthropy — projects now supported by UN agencies, global foundations, and multinational corporations.
To date, ICSO has implemented over 150 public service initiatives across 12 countries and 50+ regions, mobilizing $2 million in funding, engaging more than 5,000 youth volunteers, and benefiting over 100,000 individuals worldwide.
The summit was hosted by the Global Emerging Leaders for Sustainability Alliance (GELA) and co-organized by student sustainability chapters at Columbia University (CGELA), University of Pennsylvania (PGELA), and New York University (GELAatNYU), with strategic backing from iMpact Global. The selection committee included distinguished figures such as Dr. Zheng Wu (Chair, Central Bank Digital Currency Alliance), Lu Zhang (Founding Partner, Fusion Fund), Feng Li (Founder, Frees Fund), and Summer Pan (former Nasdaq Head of China/APAC).
At the closing gala, a representative from Columbia University formally presented Mr. Yao with the Sustainable Development Leader certificate, commending his outstanding leadership and innovation in global youth-driven philanthropy. In his acceptance remarks, Yao stated:
“Philanthropy is never the work of one, but a collective movement powered by youth across borders. We are committed to building a more resilient and inclusive philanthropic ecosystem that places sustainability at the core of youth engagement.”
This year’s summit not only served as a hub for transnational, cross-disciplinary dialogue but also as a celebration of youth-led action shaping a sustainable future. Mr. Yao’s recognition underscores the growing global impact of Chinese youth in redefining the landscape of international public service and sustainable innovation.
Gates Yao 