Hi Ailish,

In the past, I've used "standard bearer" for both of these terms, thanks to a suggestion in the Proz glossaries. I think you could do the same here.

SYLLABICATION: stan·dard-bear·er
PRONUNCIATION: stndrd-bârr
NOUN: 1. One who carries a standard or banner, especially of a military unit. 2. An outstanding leader or representative of a movement, organization, or political party.

Here are some examples to "world/world's/worldwide standard bearer":

WDC Treasurer and Chairman of the Technical Committee, Mr. William Boyajian, President of the famous nonprofit Gemological Institute of America, the world's standard bearer of integrity in education, research and gem laboratory grading and identification.
http://www.worlddiamondcouncil.com/izah.shtml

CADILLAC CATERA
A worthy world standard-bearer.
(Used as a title)
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/owners_reports/20...

"Claim vs. Proof" focuses largely on the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the worldwide standard-bearer for the testing of modern medicine.
http://www.medicines-inside.com/me_claim.html

Based on the definition for standard bearer, you might try just plain "leader" (world leader or worldwide leader, you'll find hundreds of thousands of refs. for both)--not very elegant, but very widely used. Another possibility is "paradigm" (dictionary def.: One that serves as a pattern or model). Some examples of the latter:

It's safe to say that Windows is the world's paradigm for a computer operating platform
http://ldbelveal.net/articles/dajudge.html

The truffles, always a good yardstick, are first-rate, a blend of nothing more than chocolate, butter and cream rolled in cocoa powder. They're made with chocolate from Valrhona, the French company whose products are the world's paradigm.
http://archive.nandotimes.com/newsroom/nt/212choc.html

Hope it helps.
Cindy

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Note added at 2003-04-19 06:32:10 (GMT)
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Sorry, forgot my suggested translation of that sentence:

Madrid is advancing towards a future filled with ever-increasing challenges; by rising to meet them/these challenges, our region will become the world standard bearer. (you could add \"in public transportation\" after standard bearer if you feel so inclined--I would, I think it sounds better). :-)