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The “Gaza/Palestine Reconstruction and Development Conference,” organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), was held in Istanbul on April 30, 2025.
Dozens of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) participated in the program. Speaking to Türkiye daily, ICYF President Taha Ayhan emphasized the importance of the conference by saying, “When we tried to organize this in other countries, we were blocked.”
The tragedy in the Gaza Strip has reached horrific proportions. The people of the region are struggling to survive amid hunger, thirst, disease, and immense deprivation.
Although aid is being sent from all around the world, it is not reaching those in need. Humanitarian organizations that are truly making an effort are facing various obstacles.
Standing out with its leadership in removing these obstacles and launching strategic aid initiatives, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) held a remarkable event in Istanbul.
Speakers at the opening of the program included former Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, ICYF President Taha Ayhan, Anera President and CEO Sean C. Carroll, Palestine Emerging General Manager Shireen Shelleh, and ICC Deputy Secretary-General Julian Kassum.
Speaking exclusively to Türkiye daily, ICYF President Taha Ayhan made significant remarks.
Ayhan stated that they had previously worked on establishing an “International Gaza Court” and had been collecting evidence from Gaza through a channel called “Witness Eye Channel.”
“Today, we are millions. Those who side with the oppressors are far fewer, and yet we cannot prevail against them. We are weak, but if we document this, one day these oppressors will be held accountable,” he said.
Saying, “There is no famine risk in Gaza—there is famine itself!” Ayhan added, “With the ‘Step Up & Help Gaza / Palestine Rising’ conference, our initial goal is to discuss what we can do in these 60 days when aid cannot be delivered and how we can get aid inside.
Secondly, if a cease-fire occurs soon, we aim to quickly rebuild Palestine and Gaza together with our global donors.”
He emphasized why Istanbul was chosen as the host city.
Referring to the high-level participation of international organizations, including Anera, Ayhan said, “My request from our readers is this: At a time when even talking about Gaza is becoming more difficult, do not hesitate to speak out. Our country and our president have always stood for justice in their statements about Palestine. That’s why we are able to organize the ‘Step Up & Help Gaza / Palestine Rising’ Conference in Türkiye. When we tried to hold it elsewhere, they blocked us.”
Julian Kassum, Deputy Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), told Türkiye daily: “We are very proud that the ICC is part of this event and working with Palestine Emerging to support the reconstruction of Gaza and the development of a stronger Palestinian economy. It’s clear that the private sector has a role— not only in financing the rebuilding but also in supporting local Palestinian entrepreneurs, SMEs, and larger enterprises to connect with global markets. This is how we make Palestine stronger.”
The conferences, supported by public, private, and civil society representatives from across the globe, will continue tomorrow. Partnerships formed during the events will be formalized through memoranda of understanding.
With the slogan “We cannot wait for tomorrow for Palestine; now is the time to act!”, the action-focused conferences aim to ensure coordinated aid delivery the moment a cease-fire or peace is achieved.
Thus, startups, initiatives, and many reconstruction efforts recorded over the two-day program will begin without delay.
Other speeches at the program included the following messages:
Highlighting the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Palestine and the urgency of moving from reactive aid to proactive development and from temporary support to sustainable livelihoods, ICYF President Taha Ayhan said in his opening remarks, “It is not enough to plan for the ‘day after’ in Palestine. The time for coordinated, strategic, and effective action is now. Coming together here in partnership with Anera, Palestine Emerging, and visionary leaders and institutions is proof of the power of collective action."
"Over these two days, we are committed to moving beyond declarations, shaping policies, designing programs, and building partnerships that deliver concrete results for Palestinian communities. We will address critical sectors such as healthcare, education, vocational training, infrastructure, water and energy, housing, and technology—laying the foundation not only for recovery but for a thriving, self-sustaining Palestinian economy.”
Anera President and CEO Sean C. Carroll said that no aid had entered Gaza in two months, with 56 percent of people unable to access assistance. Even during the 6-week ceasefire, humanitarian aid faced obstacles. “We have health clinics in Gaza, and the people who come now stay there. They can only eat once a day. They were nearly starving when they arrived. Civilians were killed in the streets. The world must understand this. We need action. If we unite here as decision-makers, we can become much stronger and help rebuild and develop Gaza.”
Shireen Shelleh, general manager of Palestine Emerging, said, “We didn’t come here just to talk. We came with a sense of urgency and responsibility. We aim to stop the war in Gaza. There is a systematic effort to displace people. We are here for all of Palestine. Our goal is to create a just environment. We fully support accessible healthcare initiatives and are rebuilding zoning plans. We will discuss what’s needed to reconstruct Gaza. This will show the world stands with them. We want to act on our vision, to rebuild Gaza and shape our future with our own hands. Thank you for standing by Palestine.”
Former Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz said in a video message, “This meeting is unique and action-oriented. Looking at the level of participation and the difference it will make on the ground, I can confidently say I am hopeful about the future of Palestine.”
On April 30, the first day of the conference, urgent humanitarian and development strategies in Gaza, health sector reforms in Palestine, early childhood education and support for lost generations, private sector initiatives to boost GDP and companies, harmonizing education and vocational training with the labor market, and technology-based approaches to Gaza’s reconstruction were discussed.
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