The Forum is organized jointly by ICESCO, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, and the United Nations Development Programme

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is preparing to organize the fifth edition of the Youth Knowledge Forum. The event will be held for the second time at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, on 7 and 8 September 2026 under the theme “From Crisis to Sustainability.”

The Forum is organized as part of the partners’ joint efforts to empower youth and strengthen their role in shaping the future by providing a knowledge platform that brings them together with decision-makers, experts, and specialists. The event will address pressing global challenges and explore innovative solutions to strengthen societies’ ability to respond to crises and transform challenges into opportunities that support sustainable development pathways.

Over two days, the Forum will feature a diverse programme of panel discussions, interactive dialogues, and success stories addressing a range of topics related to crises, sustainability, and the future of youth. The event will bring together leading officials, experts, and specialists from the local, regional, and international levels.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, stressed that hosting the Forum for the second time reflects the Organization’s commitment to supporting youth, developing their creative skills, and equipping them with the knowledge and expertise needed to contribute to a more prosperous future for their countries. Dr. AlMalik stated: “Effective future strategies that address challenges and capitalize on opportunities cannot be developed without involving young people, who represent a significant proportion of societies across the Islamic world. They are best positioned to understand the tools of their time and the realities of their present and future, which ultimately belongs to them.” He added that ICESCO’s involvement gives the Forum an international standing and opens up broader prospects across its 53 Member States.

For his part, Dr. Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, said: “The Youth Knowledge Forum reflects MBRF’s firm commitment to providing young people with a dynamic platform that empowers them and fosters a culture of entrepreneurship and investment at the local and regional levels. These joint efforts, led by the United Arab Emirates, stem from a deep conviction in the importance of such dialogues in advancing the business landscape and encouraging innovative entrepreneurial ventures, thereby driving economic development and strengthening the role of youth in society.”

The first day’s programme will feature a panel discussion on the interconnected global crises of 2026 and sustainability as a framework for response, alongside expert perspectives and insights. Another session will examine the role and responsibility of young people in leading action to address crises, highlighting effective approaches to crisis response and recovery, as well as ways to transform challenges into opportunities for growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

On the second day, the Forum will focus on the future of jobs and skills through a session exploring the impact of crises on the nature of work, the skills required to keep pace with a rapidly changing labour market, ways to bridge the gap between education and employment, and approaches to creating more inclusive pathways for youth to enter the workforce. The session will also draw on national experiences in guiding career choices and future projects. Another session will showcase youth-led crisis response models in ICESCO Member States, lessons learned from resilience-building initiatives, available tools and mechanisms, and practical pathways for moving from commitment to implementation through integrated, phased action plans.