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| World Youth Forum | |
|---|---|
| Name | World Youth Forum |
| Formation | 2017 |
| Founder | Abdel Fattah el-Sisi |
| Type | International forum |
| Headquarters | Sharm el-Sheikh |
| Location | Egypt |
| Leader title | President |
| Leader name | Abdel Fattah el-Sisi |
World Youth Forum
The World Youth Forum is an international platform convened in Sharm el-Sheikh that gathers youth delegates, activists, and leaders to discuss global issues alongside representatives from United Nations, African Union, European Union, Arab League, and regional organizations. Founded under the auspices of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and hosted by Egypt, the forum aims to foster dialogue among participants from diverse nations including United States, China, Russia, India, Brazil, South Africa, and United Kingdom. It engages stakeholders from multilateral institutions such as UNESCO, UNDP, WHO, and ILO.
The forum convenes sessions that bring together delegations from countries represented in bodies like United Nations General Assembly, African Union Commission, ASEAN, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Commonwealth of Nations. Programs emphasize partnership with entities such as UNICEF, World Bank, IMF, IOM, and non-governmental actors like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Red Cross, and Greenpeace. Core themes have included climate cooperation linked to Paris Agreement, sustainable development echoing Sustainable Development Goals, digital transformation referencing International Telecommunication Union, and peacebuilding tied to United Nations Security Council resolutions. The forum’s venue, Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport and adjacent resorts, has hosted sessions with high-profile speakers from institutions including Bill Gates, Malala Yousafzai, Pope Francis, Barack Obama, and delegates from G20 delegations.
The inaugural meeting followed diplomatic initiatives by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi after events such as the 2011 Egyptian revolution and during regional discussions involving Arab League Summit planners. Early editions featured partnerships with international conferences held in Cairo and parallel summits like COP27 and COP28 participants. Attendance grew with delegations from Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Israel, Palestine, United States Department of State envoys, and youth wings of political parties like African National Congress and Indian National Congress. The event timeline intersects with global incidents including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical crises such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, affecting session formats and virtual participation supported by platforms used by UNCTAD and World Economic Forum partners.
Administrative oversight features committees and secretariats modeled after multinational mechanisms like United Nations Secretariat and advisory inputs from organizations such as UNESCO, UNDP, World Bank Group, and regional development banks like the African Development Bank. Steering committees have included representatives from national ministries of youth and foreign affairs of countries like Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (United Arab Emirates), and delegations from European Commission. Funding and sponsorship have involved state entities, private foundations such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, corporations listed on stock exchanges like NASDAQ and London Stock Exchange, and philanthropic organizations including Open Society Foundations. Governance protocols reference international norms exemplified by Universal Declaration of Human Rights and incorporate event security coordination with agencies akin to Interpol.
Programs span panels, workshops, hackathons, cultural exhibitions, and policy labs partnering with institutions like UNFCCC, IRENA, World Health Organization, and academic partners such as Harvard University, University of Oxford, Cairo University, and American University in Cairo. Activities include entrepreneurship accelerators modeled after Y Combinator and incubators linked to UNIDO initiatives, mentorship sessions by alumni of Clinton Global Initiative and fellows from Rhodes Scholarship programs. Cultural diplomacy events have featured artists associated with UNESCO World Heritage, exhibitions referencing Egyptian Museum, and sports exchanges similar to programs run by FIFA and IOC.
Participants include youth delegates from nation-states accredited to United Nations, representatives of youth-led NGOs like Youth Business International, members of student unions from Harvard Kennedy School, delegations from political youth organizations such as Young African Leaders Initiative alumni and networks like European Youth Forum. Observers and partners have included delegations from NATO, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Arab Youth Union, and private sector partners from multinational companies such as Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Siemens, and Shell. Selection mechanisms mirror processes used by United Nations Volunteers and scholarship models like Fulbright Program.
Supporters cite contributions to youth networking, policy proposals referenced by entities such as United Nations General Assembly committees, and collaborations with development agencies like UNDP and World Bank. Critics—including human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch—have raised concerns about associations with state actors and limitations on civil society participation, paralleling critiques leveled at other forums such as World Economic Forum and regional summits like Arab League Summit. Media outlets including Al Jazeera, BBC News, The New York Times, and The Guardian have covered debates over transparency, freedom of expression, and the balance between state sponsorship and independent youth voices.
Notable sessions have coincided with major gatherings like COP27 and produced declarations and memoranda of understanding with partners including UNDP, World Bank, African Union, and bilateral agreements involving delegations from China Belt and Road Initiative partners and European Investment Bank. Outcomes have included entrepreneurship grants comparable to awards from Ashoka and policy recommendations cited in policy briefs by think tanks such as Brookings Institution, Chatham House, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Center for Strategic and International Studies. High-profile keynote addresses have drawn comparisons to panels at United Nations General Assembly high-level weeks and sessions at the World Economic Forum.
Category:International conferences