The Forum Utilized Digital-Twin Technology in an Unprecedented Experience at the Level of International Organizations

The live broadcast of the 5th Youth Knowledge Forum, streamed via the official page of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), recorded 9.1 million views, while the number of in-person participants reached 5,500 young men and women across Rabat, the main venue for the Forum’s sessions; ICESCO’s regional offices in Sharjah and Baku; the Culture and Science City in Cairo; and Kazan Federal University in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. This marked the first practical application of digital-twin technology in conferences and seminars at the level of international organizations.

The Forum, held on 7-8 September 2026, in partnership between ICESCO, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), featured specialized discussions, youth experience-sharing presentations, and creative activities, providing an opportunity for the exchange of expertise on addressing crises and transforming their challenges into opportunities for development.

This edition, held under the theme “From Crisis to Sustainability,” was distinguished by the use of digital-twin technology, with the Kingdom of Morocco serving as the main host hub. The Forum’s sessions and workshops were linked to centers in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, enabling young people and experts to interact in real time and exchange perspectives and experiences across five locations.

The Forum featured five discussion sessions addressing issues of health and biosecurity; social and economic crises; reputation and communication; climate and the environment; and cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, a session titled “Knowledge Studio” explored the entertainment industry, bringing together Moroccan directors, actors, and screenwriters.

The events concluded with the distribution of three iPads to three participants and the awarding of training and professional opportunities to seven winners, providing access to more than 13,000 online learning pathways. ICESCO also presented two additional iPads to two winning participants with disabilities, in support of their digital inclusion and to facilitate their access to learning and knowledge opportunities.