SESRIC participated in the 20^th Anniversary celebration of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), held under the visionary leadership of H.E. Taha AYHAN, President of ICYF. The event provided a platform to commemorate ICYF’s efforts in empowering youth across the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states and fostering their development as key drivers of progress in the region.

H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK addressed the gathering and commended ICYF’s dedication to youth empowerment over the past two decades. She highlighted the significant partnership between SESRIC and ICYF, emphasizing their joint efforts to equip the youth of the OIC region with the skills and opportunities needed to drive sustainable development.

During her remarks, H.E. SELÇUK spotlighted the outcomes of this collaboration, including the development of the "OIC Youth Strategy", which serves as a comprehensive roadmap to address the needs of young people in OIC member states. She also underscored the publication of the "State of Youth in OIC Member States" report, which offers key insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by the region’s youth.

The event highlighted the growing importance of youth in the OIC region, with the population of young people aged 0-24 surpassing 1 billion in 2024. H.E. SELÇUK stressed the urgent need for targeted programs and initiatives to harness the potential of this demographic and ensure it remains a source of strength and opportunity in the future.

SESRIC extends its heartfelt congratulations to ICYF on its 20^th Anniversary and reaffirms its commitment to working closely with ICYF to advance the cause of youth empowerment in the OIC region. Together, SESRIC and ICYF look forward to building a brighter future for the OIC youth, fostering growth and development in alignment with the shared vision of the OIC member states.

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