The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO)Regional Family Forum 2026, held under the theme “Family Where Balance Shapes the Future,” concluded in Sharjah. Held at ICESCO’s Regional Office in Sharjah on 28 and 29 October 2026, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Family and Community Council, the Forum brought together a distinguished group of decisionmakers, experts, academics, representatives of government entities and regional and international organizations, researchers, media professionals, young people, and family members.
The Forum aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange on the evolving challenges facing families amid rapid social, technological, educational, and economic transformations, and to explore practical and innovative solutions.

The Forum’s closing ceremony featured remarks by Dr. Bahar Muradova, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. She highlighted her country’s experience and sustained efforts to strengthen family stability and advance family policies, noting that placing the family at the heart of public policy, enhancing support for parents, and protecting the most vulnerable groups are fundamental pillars for building more inclusive and cohesive societies.

For his part, Mr. Salim Omar Salim, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Sharjah, stressed the importance of translating the ideas generated by the Forum into sustained cooperation, initiatives, and programs that directly benefit families and communities. He reaffirmed the Regional Office’s commitment to building on the Forum’s outcomes and strengthening partnerships with participating institutions.

During the Forum’s second day, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of ICESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector, emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to family policies. She noted that building more balanced families requires a broad review of these policies, grounded in a balance between individual rights and collective responsibilities, tradition and modernity, economic aspirations and emotional well-being, technological progress and human connection.

The Forum sessions addressed family values, intergenerational relations, digital transformation, mental health, and the future of family support policies. They also examined the impact of social media on children, while panel discussions highlighted Sharjah’s integrated model for empowering children and young people.

Alongside academic presentations and workshops, the Forum featured interactive experiences, including the “Smart Family Studio,” which sought to harness modern technologies to foster creativity and family interaction, as well as a workshop exploring ways to renew positive communication and balance within the family.