The Dhaka OIC Youth Capital 2020 will be inaugurated with an aim to bring the youth and their spirit together from every corner of the world. 

The theme of the mega event is “Parity and Prosperity: For a Resilient Future.”

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen briefed reporters about the event through a virtual press conference on Saturday. 

State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel and YICF President Taha Ayhan also spoke at the briefing moderated by Amal Ouchenane.

Dr Momen said the event will be a great opportunity to project the positive branding of Bangladesh highlighting the brilliant works of the youths and share knowledge among the stakeholders.

"This event will surely infuse a positive energy among youth and bind us into a stronger fraternity," he said.

High level dignitaries, including Youth & Sports Minister of Qatar, Youth and Sports Minister of Azerbaijan, Secretary General of OIC, President of Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) will attend.

The year-long events coincide with the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

To celebrate the Mujib Year 2020 and enlighten the global youths about the legacy and contribution of Bangabandhu, they are going to introduce Bangabandhu Global Youth Award​ for the global youths who made outstanding contributions to the field of innovation, environment, humanitarianism, sports, culture & arts, entrepreneurship, said the Foreign Minister.

More than 1200 youths from 74 countries had applied for the participation in Resilient Youth Leadership Summit, from which the organising committee has shortlisted 250  of which 100 are Bangladeshis and 150 are non-Bangladeshis from OIC Member States and beyond. Proper gender balance has been maintained during the shortlisting reflecting the position of Bangladesh in women empowerment.  

These shortlisted participants will connect with expert panelists from home and abroad to discuss how youths can be engaged to combat COVID-19 in the first session on Monday and the justice and accountability issue of the persecuted Rohingya population in the second session on Tuesday. 

As part of the “Resilient Youth Leadership Summit”, a virtual tour of the “Rohingya Camp in Cox’s Bazar” will be organised in collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and University of Cambridge for the shortlisted participants.

The virtual tour will introduce the displaced persecuted Rohingya community from Myanmar to the global participants.

It will help the international community know more about one of the biggest humanitarian crises in recent history and engage with the youth around the world, as well as be empowered by the leaders of the world to bring a sustainable change and prosperity, said the organisers.

It will also help build a sense of awareness among the youth about the ordeal and struggle of the Rohingya community.

Historical background of the Rohingya crisis, situation in Cox's Bazar Rohingya camp, justice and accountability issues, operational issues, Rohingya camp management will be highlighted in the virtual live interactive session with the persecuted Rohingya community.

International and national dignitaries, including Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen, 150 youth representatives from the OIC member states and beyond and 100 youth representatives from Bangladesh will join it. 

Dhaka was announced as the “OIC Youth Capital 2020” marking a significant recognition for the dynamic and determined leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her spirited government in the youth sector, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The Istanbul-based Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), an entity affiliated to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), made this declaration on December 25, 2019. 

The launching ceremony of this grand event was originally scheduled to be held in Dhaka with the presence of state-level dignitaries, including the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and influential youths from all over the world on April 12.