The Young Economic Security Forum (YESF) Istanbul 2025 concluded successfully after three days of intensive engagement examining the intersection of economics and security in contemporary international relations.
Organized by the Centre for International Political Economy Studies (CIPES) in partnership with Istanbul University, the forum brought together emerging leaders to explore economic statecraft, supply chain resilience, and digital economy security challenges.
Strategic Positioning & Institutional Visits
The forum leveraged Istanbul's strategic position as a bridge between Europe and Asia, with institutional visits to SETA Foundation, Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) headquarters, and Istanbul University providing participants with diverse perspectives on economic security frameworks.
The forum's institutional visit component provided practical insights into policy implementation, with participants engaging directly with SETA's research methodologies, ICYF's youth-focused initiatives, and community engagement approaches. These interactions bridged theoretical frameworks with operational understanding.
"This forum establishes a new paradigm for understanding economic security in the 21st century, highlighting the integration of traditional security concepts with modern economic realities."
Key Sessions & Thematic Focus
The intersection of economics and security requires sophisticated analytical frameworks that our participants developed through direct engagement with leading institutions. The program addressed critical contemporary challenges including supply chain vulnerabilities, sanctions as economic tools, and cultural tourism's role in economic resilience.
Key sessions examined "Supply Chains, Sanctions, and Economic Statecraft," analyzing how trade policies serve as instruments of economic statecraft and strategies for building resilience.
"Tourism, Culture, and Soft Economic Security" explored how cultural assets create economic resilience while projecting soft power. The innovative "Education to Lead The Digital Economy" session addressed emerging challenges in digital economic security.
Outcomes & Future Vision
Delegate presentations and panel discussions facilitated knowledge exchange among participants representing diverse economic and security backgrounds. The program culminated in comprehensive policy frameworks addressing contemporary economic security challenges while maintaining cultural sensitivity and regional cooperation principles.
YESF Istanbul establishes foundations for continued institutional partnerships and alumni networks focused on economic security research and policy development, preparing participants to address anticipated challenges including technological transformation, supply chain restructuring, and evolving security paradigms.
