Jordan will be the proud host of the upcoming WYPS Middle East Conference. Like the World Youth Peace Summit one year later, the regional conference will be hosted by His Majesty King Abdullah II. This conference will bring together young leaders from every country in the Middle East to discuss pressing security and development issues facing the region. A strong focus will be placed upon the exploration of possible solutions and the formation of a region-wide network of youth leaders for peace. The delegates at the Middle East Conference will play a key role in the formation of the Council of Youth Leaders for the region, and the event will provide an excellent opportunity to envision and plan for the World Summit, to be held exactly one year later.

The Middle East Conference will build on the considerable momentum generated by several high-profile youth leadership initiatives that have taken place in Jordan recently:

Youth Leadership Dialogue at the World Economic Forum

The World Youth Peace Summit and King Abdullah II Fund for Development brought 14 youth leaders from 14 Arab countries together for the Youth Leadership Dialogue at the World Economic Forum in Jordan from May 20 – 22. Addressing the group, WYPS Chairman Mr Bawa Jain said he hoped they would stay fully engaged with the WYPS initiative and outlined vital tasks for the youth leaders, including identifying youth leaders and ambassadors, seeking governmental support, acting as national WYPS representatives, and determining the critical issues facing each country and the Middle East Region. The Youth Leadership Forum was a great success and several of the youth leaders and their action plans will be showcased at the WYPS Middle East Regional Conference. For the full text of Mr. Jain’s address and the responses of Arab youth leaders, please click here.

Youth Leadership for Global Governance

WYPS Chairman Mr Bawa Jain delivered a course component of the ‘Youth Leaders for Global Governance’, an international 10-day residential course held in Jordan in June. Mr Jain focused on the ability of youth to engage with multilateral institutions. The course brought together youth from 20 countries in the region and was conducted by the United Nations University – International Leadership Institute. This ground breaking leadership initiative was supported by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development, a key World Youth Peace Summit partner.

For any enquiries regarding the upcoming Middle East Conference and other initiatives in Jordan, please email info@wyps.org


Arab youth leaders at the World Economic Forum, pictured with WYPS Chairman Mr Bawa Jain (centre row), to his right H.E. Mr. Akel Biltaji, Advisor to His Majesty King Abdullah II, and to his right Dr. Tarik I Awad, Director General of King Abdullah II Fund for Development, the local organising body of the World Youth Peace Summit.


WYPS Chairman Mr Bawa Jain with His Majesty King Abdullah II, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.