Egypt will host the first World Youth Forum (WYF) 4-10 November in the country's South Sinai resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. The forum has attracted thousands of participants worldwide, with official delegations from several states, as well as youth representatives from various countries. Under the auspices of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the forum identifies itself as one “built by promising youth that sends a message of peace, prosperity, harmony and progress to the entire world,” according to the official website. “The forum is a chance for you to engage with top policymakers, network with promising youth from the region and the world that are determined to create real change in the world we live in today,” the WYF asserts to participants, who were requested to submit applications over past months to attend the event. The forum is divided into various pillars aiming to tackle subjects of interest to both national and international youth, including youth global issues, sustainable development, technology and entrepreneurship, civilisations and culture, creating future leaders, and the Model United Nations (MUN). Security has been enhanced in the South Sinai city of Sharm El-Sheikh ahead of the forum with the city's international airport receiving a sizable number of delegations over recent days. According to sources that spoke to Al-Ahram Arabic news, around 3,202 people representing 113 states are set to participate in the forum, with 52 official international delegations also attending the 46-session forum, which will have its opening session Sunday in a specially built dome. Throughout recent weeks, promotion of the forum was set in motion through a series of advertisements, including billboards on main Cairo and Alexandrian streets, as well as online advertisements under the hashtag “We Need To Talk”. TV advertisements featuring a number of Egyptian sport and public figures have also been on the roll, with a song produced to inaugurate the forum, performed by Algerian singer Cheb Khaled. November's forum was first announced during the country's National Youth Conference in Alexandria in July, which was also attended by El-Sisi.
