41 outstanding young leaders named winners of "Ambassador for a Day 2026” initiative

Bangkok, 13 February 2026 — Forty-one young leaders have been selected as winning Youth Shadows of the 2026 Ambassador for a Day initiative, delivered through collaboration between the Women Ambassadors Group, the United Nations, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, to advance gender equality and youth leadership. Now in its sixth year, the initiative received nearly 200 entries from young people across the country.

Ambassador for a Day offers young people aged 18 to 25 the opportunity to shadow  women leaders including Ambassadors, Senior Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and UN leaders, gaining firsthand experience in diplomacy and international relations. The 2026 edition is co-convened by H.E. Mrs. Anna Hammargren, Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand, and Ms. Michaela Friberg-Storey, UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand, bringing together 15 embassies, 10 UN entities, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand under the theme “Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls.” This focus aligns with the priorities of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (9-19 March, New York) and the Pact of the Future, which calls for renewed multilateral cooperation and ensuring that young people are meaningfully included in shaping solutions to common global challenges.

Among the winning entries, participants highlighted how rights, justice, and action can expand pathways for young people to shape a gender-inclusive future, while underscoring persistent barriers to justice for women and girls, including intersecting forms of discrimination. These ranged from enforcement gaps and unequal access to healthcare and education, to climate-related vulnerabilities and emerging risks linked to technologies such as AI. Submissions emphasised that progress depends on stronger implementation, greater awareness of rights, and protections that reach all women and girls, especially those most at risk of being left behind.

Building on these ideas, selected winners will engage in a series of high-level engagements around International Women’s Day. On 5 March 2026, they will attend a special reception hosted by H.E. Ms. Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazán, Ambassador of Peru to Thailand, in partnership with H.E. Dr Angela Macdonald PSM, Australian Ambassador to Thailand. On 6 March, they will participate in the Asia-Pacific International Women’s Day commemoration at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, jointly hosted by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and UN Women.

A legacy of impact

Launched in 2021 by the Ambassadors of Canada and India, Ambassador for a Day has grown into a platform for youth leadership through close collaboration between the Women Ambassadors Group and the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand. Previous editions were co-hosted by the Ambassadors of Belgium in 2022, Australia in 2023, the Philippines in 2024, and Peru in 2025.

The 2026 edition is supported by the Embassies of Sweden, Peru, Australia, Austria, Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Hungary, Israel, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, Romania, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Participating UN entities include the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand, ESCAP, UN Women, International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

2026 winning Youth Shadows

The following 42 young leaders have been selected as Youth Shadows under the 2026 Ambassador for a Day initiative (listed in alphabetical order):

• Anna Sittiwong

• Apisara Leelawiwat

• Arinyachai Channarong

• Chakriya Thammajaree

• Chanya Wisetprapa

• Chayanit Kapko

• Dolnapat Akkharakritphokhin

• Fadeelah Awae

• Issariya Srisawedsupparak

• Jayda Simon

• Kamonchanok Promdecha

• Kantapa Worawittayanon

• Kanyaporn Chanpongsang

• Kittichai Jariyathammanukul

• Klaokamol Lasomboon

• Korapath Deesiri

• Marisa Yapangku

• Nannapas Chattrakulrak

• Nattakarn Supmeeyoo

• Nattapak Kanachai

• Nicha Booncharoen

• Nicharee Wongtrakoon

• Ni-Asma Dueraao

• Nitsarin Ngamphrueksa

• Nongnaphat Chaiyathim Falkeid

• Pakjira Sittiwech

• Palmmily Harong

• Piyathida Thanupun

• Purinut Suchinai

• Raida Sathapananun

• Rapheepan Duangduean

• Rebecca Linn

• Siriyakorn Samnianglam

• Steven Tabaquero Amakram

• Suphanat Chuebunmee

• Supichaya Taweepornchok

• Suthasinee Hongviset

• Thanuta Jitranukitkul

• Tirachon Intaranontawilai

• Trilux Vannarot

• Waratat Chimruang

Watch all winning entries on the UN Thailand playlist.

#AmbassadorForADayTH #IWD2026