Engaging over 3,500 participants both in-person and remotely
YKF proposed recommendations to engage youth across various crisis management stages, ensuring their equitable access to knowledge and technology
Dubai, UAE, September 2026 – Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) concluded the 5th Youth Knowledge Forum (YKF), organized in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, Morocco. Held on 7-8 September, the YKF convened officials, experts, thought leaders, and youth from various countries.
The event brought together over 3,500 young participants in person and remotely using digital twin technology. The sessions amassed more than 5.5 million views among audiences across several nations, including the UAE, Egypt, Azerbaijan, and Tatarstan. The impressive turnout reflects youth’s growing interest in knowledge and development issues, while reinforcing the YKF’s role in engaging them in purposeful developmental dialogues.
On its final day, the Forum featured panel discussions exploring key issues, including health and biosecurity, socio-economic crises, climate and environment, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, a session titled ‘Youth Success Stories’ explored the inspiring journeys of young individuals who have successfully transformed their ambitions into tangible achievements, overcome challenges, and created promising opportunities within their communities.
The sessions also highlighted the role of creative industries, such as cinema, video games, music, and social media platforms, in creating job opportunities for youth as well as strengthening responses to humanitarian and developmental crises. Furthermore, participants discussed various methods to transform creative talents into sustainable career pathways that can drive tangible social impact, supported by the growing role of creativity and innovation in the global economy.
Concluding its proceedings, the YKF proposed several recommendations aimed at reinforcing youth’s role in building more resilient and sustainable communities. The recommendations primarily focus on empowering youth to leverage knowledge and creativity as effective tools for addressing rapidly evolving global challenges. The Forum also recommended stronger youth engagement across all crisis management stages, while ensuring equitable access to knowledge and technology and promoting the practice of information verification before sharing.
The Youth Knowledge Forum remains a pioneering platform that convenes youth, experts, and decision-makers for impactful discourses and knowledge exchange. It seeks to bolster youth’s role in formulating innovative solutions to contemporary challenges, while also enhancing their ability to effectively contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and build a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.
