The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation announced the fifth edition of the Youth Knowledge Forum which will convene for two days in the Moroccan capital beginning on September 7 2026. The event marking the second time the forum is hosted in Rabat will bring together young people decision-makers experts and specialists to examine pressing global challenges according to a statement issued by the foundation. Organizers including the Islamic World Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations Development Programme positioned the gathering as a platform to empower youth and reinforce their contributions to shaping future policies and solutions.
Under the theme From Crisis to Sustainability the program will open with a panel discussion on intersecting global crises in 2026 and the role of sustainability as a response framework the statement detailed. Experts will then offer insights into youth leadership in crisis recovery and the creation of growth opportunities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. These sessions aim to translate discussions into practical strategies that participating youth can apply in their communities and professional spheres.
The second day will focus on the future of jobs and the skills required in a changing landscape according to the announcement from the partners. Discussions will address the impact of crises on employment markets the importance of aligning education with labor demands and national experiences that can guide young people toward viable projects. Additional sessions will showcase youth-led crisis response models from ICESCO member states drawing lessons from resilience initiatives and outlining pathways to turn commitments into concrete actions.
Jamal bin Huwaireb CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation said in the statement that the YKF reflects our commitment to providing young people with a vibrant platform for empowerment while fostering a broader culture of entrepreneurship and investment across both local and regional levels. He added that these joint efforts led by the UAE reflect a deep belief in the role of such dialogues in developing the business landscape and encouraging innovative entrepreneurial projects which support economic development and consolidate the role of youth in society. The CEO emphasized the collaborative approach among the three organizations in advancing these goals.
Salim M. AlMalik Director-General of ICESCO stated that hosting the YKF for the second time highlights the organization’s long-standing vision to support youth hone their creative skills and equip them with the knowledge and expertise required to contribute to building a more prosperous future. He noted that future-focused strategies for tackling challenges and investing in opportunities cannot be formulated without the active participation of the youth who constitute about 60 per cent of the Islamic world. AlMalik pointed out that young people are adept at using the tools of the current era and have a better understanding of both the present reality and the future which ultimately belongs to them.
The announcement coincided with International Youth Day and builds on the forum’s established role as a dynamic knowledge platform a pattern seen in prior editions hosted in locations including Cairo. United Nations Population Fund data shows that young people between the ages of 15 and 29 make up around 30 percent of the Arab region’s population underscoring the demographic weight behind such youth-focused initiatives. Pew Research Center assessments have similarly placed the share of those under 30 in many Muslim-majority countries near 60 percent in recent years highlighting the strategic importance of engaging this cohort in knowledge-based dialogues.
