Prior to the official launch, several preparatory workshops will be held over two days to discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on different levels including the UN sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) and the future of Africa, the future of financial technology of developing markets, digital transformation, education as well as Generation Z’s views for the world post-pandemic, according to the latest statement.

The workshops will focus also on fair water use policies, confronting environmental challenges and the growing global role of startups as well as a discussion of the Egyptian experience with the Decent Life initiative as a model for developing communities.

The Decent Life national project (Hayah Karima in Arabic) was initiated experimentally in 2019 by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and its first phase was officially launched in July 2021. The project aims to improve standards of living, infrastructure and basic services including health care across the countryside.

The WYF will then kick off on Monday with an opening ceremony followed by a plenary session on the coronavirus pandemic.

Over the next two days, several sessions, workshops and events will discuss a number of key issues including future of healthcare, behavioral and psychological repercussions in the post-pandemic worlds, a review of development experience to confront poverty, ways to confront climate change from Glasgow’s COP26 to COP27.

Next November, Egypt will host the UN conference on climate change (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh.

The forum’s agenda will include discussions of others issues like the future of energy, sustainable water security, global peace and security and the reconstruction of post-conflict areas in addition of focusing on upholding human values through arts and creativity as well as building security and an inclusive world for women.

This edition of the WYF will also feature a simulated model of the UN Human Rights Council, according to the agenda.

Other activities that continue from previous editions of the forum will include the World Youth Theatre, Freedom.e, Inspire.D and Start Vein.

The WYF also announced on Thursday that it launched a virtual interactive platform for all those who cannot attend the forum in Sharm El-Sheikh in-person, allowing them to attend the events remotely.

The platform allows users to follow the events and activities in the forum in addition to participating in the forum’s workshops in a way that allow interactive activities between all the participants according to the WYF’s statement.

The platform also includes information about the forum, its agenda and its speakers this edition.

Users can participate virtually in the forum by visiting the website and registering with an email through “Participate in the forum online” tab.

Also for the first time, the WYF will use the forums technique, which allows participants to gather interactive points from other users generated using the photobooth app.

Organised annually under the auspices of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in Sharm El-Sheikh , the World Youth Forum was first launched in 2017.