Hosted by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)-affiliated Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation, the protocol concerning hosting various events as part of making Istanbul the 2016 Islamic World Youth Capital has been signed by İBB City Council. According to the protocol, the Istanbul 2016 Islamic World Youth Capital program will be announced on June 23 with a ceremony. Several events will take place as part of the program, including "In Search of the Lost Science" (an international TV program), "The Young Voices of Recitation" (a Quranic recitation competition), "The City of Civilizations: Istanbul" (a short film festival), "Istanbul Through the Lenses of the Youth" (a photography competition), an Ottoman calligraphy workshop, a peace symposium, sports tournaments and "Our Route: The Ottomans" (Ottoman cultural heritage tours).

Moreover, a document titled "10 Targets for the 10th Year: Istanbul Youth Declaration" will be announced as part of the events program in order to call world leaders and all political actors to take action to improve the lives of Muslim youth around the world.

The program aims to promote Istanbul, which shelters Ottoman culture and heritage, and bring the city to the forefront of intercultural dialogue as well as present Istanbul's vision internationally.

Previously, the representatives of more than 60 countries that are members of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation chose Istanbul to host the Islamic World Youth Capital for 2015-2016. The announcement was made during the Second General Assembly of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation held at Istanbul's Çırağan Palace on Oct. 11, 2014, by Iyad Amin Madani, Secretary General of the OIC.