Cairo: The fifth edition of the Kazan Global Youth Summit 2026 opened Friday in Kazan, the capital of Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, bringing together more than 100 international delegations and a broad range of youth, academic, and media leaders. The summit will run through August 30.

According to State Information Service Egypt, an Al-Azhar University delegation is participating in the summit, alongside delegations representing youth ministers, policymakers, and university presidents from countries across the Islamic world. The event is also attended by media leaders, journalists, digital influencers, and youth leaders from around the world, as well as representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The summit's fifth edition focuses on major challenges facing young people, including education, sustainable development, human capital development, and media engagement amid rapidly evolving global changes. The event is being held under a strategic partnership between the government of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

Opening activities included the launch of the "Innoverse50+" program for youth leaders at Kazan Federal University, aimed at strengthening young people's capacity to develop practical solutions to shared global challenges. More than 60 young participants from around 25 countries are taking part in the program. The opening program also featured a tour of the historic Kazan Kremlin and the launch of a cultural festival, attended by ICYF President Taha Ayhan and Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin.