Agenda · 7–8 September 2026, Rabat | Youth Knowledge Forum
MBRF · UNDP · ICESCO

Knowledge Youth Forum — Agenda

5th Edition 7–8 September 2026 Kingdom of Morocco

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organize the fifth edition of the Knowledge Youth Forum in the Kingdom of Morocco — in cooperation with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) — on 7–8 September 2026, under the theme “From Crisis to Sustainability”.

The Forum aims to support the youth sector and foster creativity and innovation in developing pathways to transfer, disseminate and localize knowledge worldwide, while opening an interactive space for young people to connect with experts, broaden their knowledge, and collaborate with peers from across the globe.

09:00 – 10:00

Registration

Welcome and introduction by the MC

10:00 – 10:20
Opening

Welcoming speeches

  • H.E. Dr. Salim M. AlMalik — Director General, ICESCO
  • H.E. Jamal bin Huwaireb — CEO, MBRF
  • H.E. Leyla Fazleeva — Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan
  • H.E. Naima Ben Yahia — Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, Morocco
  • Ms. Ilaria Carnevali — UNDP representative in Morocco
10:20 – 10:30

Presentation of Twinning Hubs

10:30 – 11:30
Panel 1

When crises meet sustainability

Moderator: Sally Mabrouk

Topics

  • Compounding global crises in 2026
  • Sustainability as a framework for crisis response
  • Frontline perspectives from leaders and practitioners
  • Youth leadership and responsibility in addressing crisis

Panelists

H.E. Osama Heikal
Head of Media and Communication Sector
H.E. Mouhamadou Youssifou
Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon to Morocco
H.E. Ezzedine Al-Asbahi
Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to Morocco
H.E. Jumana Ghunaimat
Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Morocco
Samir Belfatmi
Media professional
11:30 – 11:45

Quiz time

11:45 – 11:50

Success story

Mr. Abdalla Alnaqbi

11:50 – 12:50
Session 2

Youth voices: turning ambition into success

Moderator: Mohamed Mehdi Cherif

Topics

  • Turning ambition into achievement
  • Lessons learned from the journey to success
  • Overcoming challenges and creating opportunities
  • Advice for young people building their future

Panelists

Saad Lotfi
Director of Education Consultancy & Corporate Training
Safae Himi
Entrepreneurial Advisor and Infographic Designer
Sidi Ahmed Djawad
Youth Representative
Sufyan Zainal
Youth Representative
Widad Wahbi
Youth Representative
12:50 – 13:05

Quiz time

13:05 – 14:35

Lunch break

14:35 – 15:35
Panel 3

Your career in a changing world

Moderator: Murad Aliyev

Topics

  • How crises are transforming jobs and skills demand
  • Bridging the gap between education and employment
  • Creating inclusive pathways to youth employment
  • Applying country lessons to career and project choices

Panelists

H.E. Timur Suleymanov
Aide to the Rais of Tatarstan on Youth Policy · former Minister of Youth of Tatarstan
H.E. Sarjoh Aziz Kamara
Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sierra Leone
Chiraz El Fassi
General Delegate of Wallonia-Brussels to Morocco
Mohamed Nasser
Head of Human Resources Capital, ICESCO
Dr. Hany Torky
Chief Technical Adviser & Project Manager, Knowledge Project, UNDP
15:40 – 16:00

Quiz time

16:00 – 16:15
Closing

Closing — Day 1