First Minister Humza Yousaf makes Time 100 Next list of world's 'rising stars'

Humza Yousaf has been included in the Time 100 Next list of world leaders.

Scotland’s First Minister was nominated for the recognition by Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who said his “door was always open” to Yousaf.

He described Yousaf as a “young, energetic leader” who serves the Scottish people with “the passion and dedication they deserve”.

Other leaders on the list include Maltese politician Roberta Metsola, the youngest-ever president of the European Parliament, and NASA astronaut Victor J. Glover, Jr.

The list also includes actor Paul Mescal, singer and actress Maya Hawke and rapper Ice Spice.

Explaining why he nominated Yousaf, Varadkar said: “I was pleased to meet First Minister Humza Yousaf for the first time recently at the British-Irish Council.

“We had a constructive meeting in which we pledged to continue to nurture the very positive relationship between Ireland and Scotland.

“We will work together to further deepen the links between our two countries from an economic and cultural point of view.”

He added: “Humza, as the first South Asian leader of Scotland and the first Muslim leader of a Western democracy, has spoken of his belief that coming from a minority background gives him an important perspective when working to make his country a better and more equal place.

“I can identify with this, and I am pleased to say that Ireland has become a more progressive and equal country in recent years.

“My door is always open to Humza to discuss issues of shared interest between our countries.”