IsDB 2026 Youth Development Forum Emphasizes Regional Integration for Youth Empowerment and Shared Prosperity

Sunday Okobi in Baku, Azerbaijan

The 14th Youth Development Forum, held alongside the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group meeting in Baku, brought together government officials, development practitioners, youth leaders, entrepreneurs, and academics from IsDB Member Countries to discuss how regional integration can create new opportunities for young people across the region.

Taking place on the sidelines of the 2026 IsDB Meetings under the theme “Regional Integration for Sustainable Prosperity,” the Forum explored how stronger regional cooperation could advance youth employment, entrepreneurship, mobility, innovation, and sustainable development.

At the opening, Mr. Idrissa Dia, Director of the Resilience and Climate Action Department at IsDB, highlighted the importance of youth empowerment for sustainable development and for strengthening collaboration among Member Countries.

H.E. Anar Karimov, First Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan, noted that investing in young people is one of the most strategic investments a country can make, stressing that education, skills development, and regional cooperation are key to unlocking the full potential of future generations.

Prof. Adalat Muradov, Rector of Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), emphasized the role of education, entrepreneurship, and regional collaboration in expanding opportunities for youths and supporting long‑term national development.

Mr. Farhad Hajiyev, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan, spoke on behalf of the host country, underscoring that empowering young people through innovation, skills development, and international cooperation is critical to fostering sustainable prosperity and enhancing regional connectivity.

A high‑level panel discussion titled “Youth Without Borders: Regional Cooperation as a Catalyst for Youth Empowerment” featured Dr. Ramil Maharramov, Adjunct Professor at ADA University and Senior Consultant at the World Bank; Guldana Dadashova, Supervisory Board Member of the European Youth Parliament Azerbaijan and Deputy Chairperson of NAYORA; Rahim Bayramli, Co‑Founder and CEO of SABAH.HUB and Co‑Founding General Partner of the SABAH Fund; and Maryam Majidova, International Youth and Gender expert, founder of Gender Hub Azerbaijan, and member of the COP29 Organising Committee.

Panelists stressed the need for stronger regional cooperation frameworks that support youth‑led businesses, facilitate knowledge exchange, and expand opportunities for young entrepreneurs to engage in cross‑border trade and digital economies. They also highlighted the importance of ensuring that youth voices are meaningfully represented in the design and implementation of regional cooperation initiatives.

The Forum concluded with a call for deeper collaboration among governments, development institutions, academia, the private sector, and youth organisations to develop scalable solutions that empower young people and contribute to sustainable regional development.