Youth delegates issue ‘Istanbul Declaration’ urging justice for Palestine and Syria

The 5th International Model OIC High School Summit ended in Istanbul on Monday with participants adopting the “Istanbul Declaration,” a youth-driven text calling for justice for Palestine, structural reform in the global system, and greater unity among member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Hosted by Beyoğlu Anatolian Imam Hatip High School with support from the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, the event drew high school delegates from dozens of countries who worked through English and Arabic committees to shape their final message.

Istanbul Declaration and key messages

In the declaration session, student representatives emphasized core themes that dominated the four-day programme. Speakers urged solidarity with Gaza, highlighted the need for reforms in international institutions, and encouraged OIC states to broaden cooperation in Syria’s reconstruction, defense-industry development and climate-resilience planning. Several delegates also drew attention to global warming risks and structural inequalities they argued disproportionately affect Muslim communities.

Opening remarks and reflections

At the closing ceremony, officials from Türkiye and participating institutions highlighted the symbolic value of hosting such a summit in Istanbul, a historic centre of education and diplomacy. Speakers encouraged students to maintain their focus on Gaza and Palestine, linking the commitment to justice with collective memory and identity. Organizers also praised the delegates’ discipline during intensive committee work, noting that the summit has emerged as a prominent youth-engagement platform within the wider OIC ecosystem.

Youth diplomacy and summit outcomes

Throughout the event, participants debated issues including Palestine, Syria’s recovery, regional defense cooperation and climate policy before merging into a final Islamic Summit session to endorse a consolidated declaration. Organizers stressed that the declaration represented the collective voice of young people seeking a fairer international system. In the final address, Türkiye’s Presidential Chief Advisor commended the students for centring justice—particularly for Palestine—and urged them to carry the values discussed in Istanbul into their future public roles.