Konya named OIC Youth Capital for 2026

Konya, in central Türkiye, has been designated the Youth Capital of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for 2026, an annual title awarded by the organization to promote youth engagement across the Islamic world.

The announcement was made by Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) President Taha Ayhan, who said Konya was selected following a vote held during the forum’s first Executive Board meeting of 2026. Iran’s Tabriz, Uzbekistan’s Tashkent and Türkiye’s Konya were shortlisted as candidate cities.

“Following the vote, we officially declared Konya as the 2026 OIC Youth Capital,” Ayhan said, wishing the city success in hosting the program.

Launched in 2015, the OIC Youth Capital initiative selects a city from an OIC member state each year to foster solidarity, cultural exchange and a shared vision among young people from OIC countries and Muslim minority communities. The program features seminars, conferences, cultural and artistic events, as well as a range of social activities.

The 2025 edition is being hosted by Marrakech in Morocco, following previous programs held in cities including Shusha in Azerbaijan, Kazan in Russia’s Tatarstan region, Dhaka in Bangladesh and Doha in Qatar, each bringing together thousands of young participants.

ICYF said Konya was chosen for its rich historical background, cultural heritage and contributions to intercultural dialogue. Throughout 2026, the city is expected to host numerous international events, welcoming thousands of young people from across the Islamic world.

Konya Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Ahmet Murat Koru welcomed the decision, saying the city aims to organize a wide range of events inspired by its cultural legacy and to host international guests in the best possible manner.

Konya is known for its religious and historical significance and its long-standing role as a crossroads of civilizations. It was the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum in the 12th and 13th centuries and is internationally recognized as the home of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, whose philosophy of tolerance, spirituality and human unity continues to shape the city’s cultural identity.