SESRIC participated in the OIC Youth Entrepreneurship Conference 2026 held on 3-4 June 2026 in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, under the leadership of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Investment and Finance Office of the Republic of Türkiye.

The Conference brought together youth entrepreneurs, startups, investors, and policy makers from several OIC member countries. The main aim of the conference was to contribute to the advancement of entrepreneurship ecosystems across the OIC region, by providing a platform for youth-led startups to connect with investors and build institutional cooperation partnerships.

The opening ceremony featured keynote addresses by deputy ministers and high-level representatives. On behalf of H.E. Hissein Brahim TAHA, Secretary General of the OIC, Mr. Naghi JABBAROV, Director General of the Department of Economic Affairs, delivered a message emphasizing the collective commitment of OIC Member States to advancing entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic cooperation. He further stressed the importance of strengthening support mechanisms for young entrepreneurs through enhanced collaboration among policymakers and financial institutions to expand access to financing opportunities and startup support programs.

H.E. Davut GÜL, Governor of Istanbul, conveyed the greetings of H.E. Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN, President of the Republic of Türkiye. He commended the importance of this conference in fostering an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, particularly at a time when rapidly changing global dynamics demands continuous adaptation and the development of new skills.

The programme proceeded with high-level panel sessions showcasing successful innovations and bringing together expert speakers to explore entrepreneurship ecosystems, investment opportunities, and innovation across OIC countries.

For further details on the OIC Youth Entrepreneurship Conference 2026, please visit: https://oicyec.com/

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