The fifth edition of the Knowledge Youth Forum, one of the initiatives of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), kicks off next Monday, 7 September 2026, at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat. Held for the second time in the Kingdom of Morocco, the Forum is organized in partnership with ICESCO under the theme “From Crisis to Sustainability” and will bring together decision-makers, experts, and international specialists.

This two-day event will feature the use of digital-twin technology, with Rabat serving as the Forum’s main hub and linked to four additional centers in the United Arab Emirates, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation. This model will enable young participants to engage and interact with the Forum’s sessions and workshops in real time, in a pioneering experience being implemented for the first time at an international forum across the Islamic world.

During the Forum, a number of scholarships and in-kind awards will be granted to the most active and distinguished participants in the sessions and workshops. This initiative aims to encourage youth engagement in discussions, inspire them to develop practical and sustainable solutions to current challenges, and support their educational and professional development.

The first day will feature an opening session attended by ministers, senior officials, and ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco, followed by discussions on the interconnected global crises of 2026, sustainability as a framework for response, and the role of youth in recovering from the impacts of crises and transforming them into opportunities for growth.
The second day will focus on the future of jobs and skills, examining labor market transformations, the gap between education and employment, and pathways to enhancing youth professional integration. It will also highlight national experiences in career guidance and support for future-oriented projects.