The fifth edition of the Youth Knowledge Forum concluded on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat. The event was organized in partnership between ICESCO, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the theme “From Crisis to Sustainability.” The event brought together more than 3,500 young people, both in person and via digital-twin technology in Cairo, Sharjah, Baku, and Kazan, alongside ambassadors, experts, and specialists in media, culture, education, and sustainable development.

The Forum featured five panel discussions addressing issues of health and biosecurity, social and economic crises, reputation and communication, climate and the environment, as well as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. The discussions focused on equipping young people with the tools required to understand and prepare for crises, while enhancing their contribution to devising innovative solutions that meet the needs of their communities and support sustainable development pathways.

The event also featured a session titled “Knowledge Studio,” with the participation of Moroccan directors, actors, and screenwriters, who explored ways of leveraging film, games, music, and social media to raise awareness about crises and enhance preparedness to address them.

The Forum’s closing statement, delivered by Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the Director-General’s Office and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector, and of the Digital Transformation Management Department, called for the digital-twin network to continue connecting young people and experts, and for the Forum’s success to be measured by the initiatives implemented on the ground.

The statement emphasized the need to involve young people in the various stages of crisis management, ensure equitable access to knowledge and technology for the youth, and establish verifying information as a practice before it is circulated. It also urged participants to leave the Forum with specific challenges, partnerships, and practical steps, and stressed that knowledge, preparedness, and joint action enhance the ability to confront crises.

The Forum concluded with the distribution of three iPad tablets to three participants and the awarding of training and career opportunities to seven winners, providing access to more than 13,000 remote learning courses. ICESCO also provided two additional iPads to winning participants with disabilities, in support of their digital inclusion and to facilitate their access to learning and knowledge opportunities.