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The Strategic Foresight Forum opened in Doha today (Monday), bringing together officials, experts and young people from member states to strengthen youth leadership, strategic thinking and innovation.Organised by the Ministry of Sports and Youth in collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the Arab Youth Council, the three-day forum, running until October 14, aims to equip young people with the skills needed to anticipate future challenges, adapt to rapid transformations and contribute to shaping the future. Speaking at the opening, Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Harmi, Assistant Undersecretary for Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, stressed the importance of investing in Arab youth and equipping them with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to navigate changes in education and the labour market.He emphasised that young people should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of policies and programmes, but as active partners in setting priorities, developing innovative solutions and shaping the future.**media[503171]**Al-Harmi also announced the launch of the Qatar Youth Council, an initiative aimed at translating this vision into practical programmes that strengthen young people's capabilities and encourage their participation in future planning.He described the forum as an important platform for bringing together young people, experts and policymakers from different countries to exchange knowledge, build capacities and strengthen co-operation among educational and youth institutions.He added that the forum's success would ultimately be measured not only by its discussions but also by the practical initiatives and partnerships that emerge from it.Dr Salim al-Malik, director-general of ICESCO, highlighted the importance of investing in youth and providing educational and training opportunities that enable them to turn their ambitions into achievements and contribute to more prosperous societies across the Islamic world.He noted that the global population aged 15 to 24 exceeds 1.3bn, with more than 110mn young people in the Arab region, underscoring the need to expand access to education, training and meaningful participation in development.Meanwhile, Dr Issa bin Hassan al-Ansari, president of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, stressed that developing education systems has become an urgent necessity amid sweeping global transformations.**media[503172]**He said the knowledge and skills acquired through general and higher education alone may no longer be sufficient to meet future challenges, particularly as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape education, employment, economies and societies.Al-Ansari emphasised that educational institutions must prepare young people for a rapidly changing world, where information is expanding, and knowledge is constantly evolving. This requires continuous learning and the development of new capabilities beyond formal education.Salem al-Mansouri, adviser to the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, also underscored the importance of investing in young people and equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to build the future and advance sustainable development.He highlighted the need to anticipate transformations in education, employment and knowledge, while preparing young people to meet emerging demands.Al-Mansouri noted that youth development remains a national priority for Qatar, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country's development strategies, which emphasise human capital development and the preparation of skilled talent capable of adapting to change and contributing to a knowledge-based society. 

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies explored prospects for enhancing cooperation in the fields of Islamic studies and manuscript preservation, as well as underlining the contributions of Islamic civilisation.The two sides also discussed the preparation of joint studies and research aimed at advancing knowledge and safeguarding the scientific and cultural heritage of the Islamic world.Director-General of ICESCO, Dr Salem bin Mohammed al-Malik presented an overview of the organisation's key activities, initiatives, and programmes to Secretary-General of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, Princess Maha bint Mohammed al-Faisal al-Saud, at the centre's headquarters in Riyadh. He highlighted areas of mutual interest and opportunities for building an effective scholarly partnership that contributes to advancing research and supporting institutions dedicated to Islamic studies.The discussion also addressed a proposal to establish an academic chair specialising in Transoxiana studies, aiming to foster research into the region's history and the contributions of its prominent figures to Islamic civilisation.Both parties agreed to work towards signing a cooperation agreement in the near future to formalise their collaboration and launch a series of joint programmes and projects. 

The Fourth Forum on Cultural Heritage Management, entitled "Manuscript Heritage in Light of Legal Frameworks, Preservation, and Digital Transformation," opened on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO). Organised by ICESCO in cooperation with the Arab Organisation for Administrative Development, the forum will end today. The forum, which brings together a select group of experts and specialists, aims to highlight institutional and international efforts in the areas of legislation, preservation, and digitisation to protect manuscript intellectual heritage. Director-General of ICESCO Dr Salim bin Mohammed al-Malik noted the organisation's expertise in manuscript preservation and raising awareness of issues related to this heritage. **media[381086]** He emphasised the need to utilise modern technologies in physical preservation, develop intelligent handwriting recognition, and leverage spectral imaging and its analysis, in addition to employing big data to provide detailed information about this heritage. Director General of the Arab Organisation for Administrative Development, Nasser al-Hatlan al-Qahtani, emphasised the importance of institutional partnerships in building capacity and developing legal frameworks for manuscript protection. He called for aligning national legislation with international standards, strengthening cooperation between libraries and archives, investing in digitisation infrastructure, and developing qualified personnel. The forum's programme includes four scientific sessions addressing manuscript protection and mechanisms for implementing legal legislation, analyses of the foundations and content of Arab laws pertaining to manuscripts, a review of experiences in preservation and maintenance by repositories and centres, and the digital transformation, preservation of heritage, and sustainability of manuscripts in the age of artificial intelligence.