OIC Delegation Attends Kazan Youth Summit

Jeddah, August 21, 2024 — An official delegation from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), led by Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs Tariq Ali Bakheet, attended the third Kazan Global Youth Summit in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, from August 21 to 24, and was received by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The meeting underscored the OIC’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and highlighted the strong partnership between the OIC and Tatarstan in advancing initiatives that benefit young people across the Islamic world.

Context and Background

The Kazan Global Youth Summit is a major international event that brings together young leaders, policymakers, and representatives from OIC member states to discuss challenges and opportunities facing youth. This third edition, held in the capital of Tatarstan, builds on previous summits that have focused on fostering dialogue, promoting sports, and encouraging youth participation in development. The OIC, as the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations, has made youth empowerment a cornerstone of its strategy, recognizing the demographic importance of young people in its 57 member states.

Tatarstan, a constituent republic of the Russian Federation with a Muslim-majority population, has emerged as a key partner for the OIC in promoting intercultural dialogue and youth engagement. The summit serves as a platform to strengthen cooperation between the OIC and Tatarstan, aligning with the OIC’s broader goals of fostering solidarity and sustainable development across the Islamic world.

Key Details

During the meeting, Tariq Ali Bakheet conveyed the regards and gratitude of OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha to President Minnikhanov and his administration. Bakheet praised Tatarstan for organizing the summit, its efforts to empower youth, its promotion of sports, and its development initiatives. The two sides reviewed joint efforts to address youth issues and explored ways to enhance collaboration.

Bakheet provided an overview of the OIC’s efforts and the initiatives launched by its organs and institutions to support member states in empowering youth across various domains. These efforts are in line with the OIC’s overall strategy, which emphasizes education, employment, and civic engagement as pillars for youth development. The meeting also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in creating opportunities for young people to contribute to their societies.

Implications and Impact

This engagement reflects the OIC’s proactive role in addressing youth-related challenges and its commitment to fostering partnerships with regional actors like Tatarstan. By participating in the Kazan Global Youth Summit, the OIC reinforces its position as a leading voice for youth empowerment within the Islamic world. The meeting between Bakheet and Minnikhanov signals a deepening of ties between the OIC and Tatarstan, which could lead to further collaborative initiatives in areas such as education, sports, and entrepreneurship.

The summit and the bilateral meeting also underscore the importance of youth as agents of change in the Muslim world. As many OIC member states grapple with high youth unemployment and social challenges, such platforms facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions. The OIC’s involvement in the summit demonstrates its dedication to implementing its youth strategy, which aims to unlock the potential of young people and integrate them into the socio-economic development of their countries.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Saudi Arabia, as a founding member of the OIC and host of its headquarters in Jeddah, plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s youth-focused agenda. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, places youth empowerment at its core, with initiatives such as the Misk Foundation and the National Transformation Program aimed at equipping young Saudis with the skills needed for the future. The OIC’s efforts to empower youth across member states resonate with Saudi Arabia’s own developmental goals, reinforcing the Kingdom’s leadership in promoting prosperity and stability in the Islamic world.

By supporting events like the Kazan Global Youth Summit, the OIC and its members, including Saudi Arabia, contribute to a global environment where young people can thrive and drive positive change. This aligns with Vision 2030’s objective of fostering a vibrant society and a thriving economy, both domestically and internationally.

20 Questions

Q1. What event did the OIC delegation attend in Kazan?

A1. The OIC delegation attended the third Kazan Global Youth Summit, held from August 21 to 24, 2024.

Q2. Who led the OIC delegation to the summit?

A2. The delegation was led by Tariq Ali Bakheet, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs.

Q3. Who received the OIC delegation in Kazan?

A3. Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov received the delegation.

Q4. What did Bakheet convey to President Minnikhanov?

A4. Bakheet conveyed the regards and gratitude of OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha to President Minnikhanov and his administration.

Q5. What did Bakheet praise Tatarstan for?

A5. He praised Tatarstan for organizing the summit, empowering youth, promoting sports, and its development initiatives.

Q6. What was reviewed during the meeting?

A6. Joint efforts to deal with youth issues were reviewed during the meeting.

Q7. What did Bakheet provide an overview of?

A7. He provided an overview of OIC’s efforts and initiatives to aid member states in empowering youth.

Q8. How many member states does the OIC have?

A8. The OIC has 57 member states.

Q9. Where is the OIC headquartered?

A9. The OIC is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Q10. What is the main focus of the Kazan Global Youth Summit?

A10. The summit focuses on youth empowerment, dialogue, sports, and development.

Q11. What is Tatarstan’s status within Russia?

A11. Tatarstan is a constituent republic of the Russian Federation with a Muslim-majority population.

Q12. How does the OIC support youth empowerment?

A12. The OIC supports youth empowerment through its strategy emphasizing education, employment, and civic engagement.

Q13. What is the OIC’s overall strategy on youth?

A13. The OIC’s strategy aims to unlock youth potential and integrate them into socio-economic development.

Q14. Why is youth empowerment important for OIC member states?

A14. Youth empowerment addresses high unemployment and social challenges, fostering stability and growth.

Q15. What role does Saudi Arabia play in the OIC?

A15. Saudi Arabia is a founding member and hosts the OIC headquarters in Jeddah.

Q16. How does Vision 2030 relate to youth empowerment?

A16. Vision 2030 prioritizes youth through initiatives like the Misk Foundation and National Transformation Program.

Q17. What does the OIC hope to achieve through summits like this?

A17. The OIC aims to foster partnerships, share best practices, and create opportunities for youth.

Q18. How does the meeting reflect OIC-Tatarstan relations?

A18. The meeting signals deepening ties and potential for further collaborative initiatives.

Q19. What sectors are highlighted for youth development?

A19. Education, sports, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement are key sectors.

Q20. How does this event align with Saudi Arabia’s global role?

A20. It reinforces Saudi Arabia’s leadership in promoting prosperity and stability in the Islamic world.

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