The 6th Youth Advocacy Forum (YAF 2025), organized by the Turkish Green Crescent Society in collaboration with UNODC and supported by IFGC, was held between 21–23 November 2025 and brought together 29 young participants from 16 countries, including Country Green Crescent volunteers. This year’s Forum once again underscored the essential role of youth in building healthier, safer, and more resilient societies through sport. The opening day featured keynote speeches from distinguished participants. Doruk Malhan, Vice President of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, emphasized the importance of empowering youth as advocates for healthier and addiction-free communities. Georgia Dimitropoulou, UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, highlighted the significance of sport-based prevention in fostering inclusion, justice, and resilience. Dr. Tasnim Atatrah, WHO Representative to Türkiye, underlined the need for youth-centered health promotion and multistakeholder collaboration. Assoc. Prof. Safa Koçoğlu, Deputy Minister from the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports, stressed Türkiye’s commitment to youth leadership and safe community environments through sport. The programme also welcomed Mehmet Kani Polat, Chair of the World Taekwondo Athletes Committee and Captain of the Turkish National Taekwondo Team, who shared his experiences on the power of sportsmanship and discipline in shaping youth development. Country Green Crescent volunteers supported by IFGC and participating from nine countries included Umma Limongi (Colombia), Fareed Damra (Jordan – Jordan Anti-Drug Society), Antonella Alexandre (Uruguay), Aqilah Binti Zulkifli (Malaysia), Suhail Bismilla (South Africa), Layan Hammad (Jordan), Karim Abou Melhem (Lebanon), Onur Naim (Palestine), Rayane Bouadi (Belgium), Nasser Hafid (Belgium), and Imane Boujemaoui (Belgium). On 22–23 November, the Forum continued at the Riva National Teams Training and Camp Center with an intensive programme delivered by UNODC’s Georgia Dimitropoulou and Turkish Green Crescent Society trainer Merve Fidan. Participants took part in life skills sessions focusing on critical thinking, media literacy, communication, advocacy, and healthy living, as well as UNODC’s interactive training activities designed to strengthen leadership and resilience. The event concluded with a certificate ceremony and closing session, celebrating the achievements of the young participants and reinforcing their dedication to promoting healthier and safer communities in their respective countries. Through UNODC’s leadership and the support of IFGC, YAF 2025 successfully strengthened international youth cooperation, empowered young leaders, and advanced sustainable, sport-based approaches to prevention and community well-being worldwide.

The 6th Istanbul Initiative Summit, hosted by the Turkish Green Crescent Society on October 23–24, 2025, brought together leading public health experts and members of the International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC) from around the world at Sepetçiler Pavilion. The summit welcomed distinguished participants from IFGC member organizations, including Stephen Lee and Amy Drost from Green Crescent USA; Balqis Binti Mohamed Kasim from Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia (Malaysia Green Crescent); Mousa Daoud from the Jordan Anti Drugs Society; Yassmin Sabih from Stardom Association (Lebanon); Tarık Sülo Cevizci from the Syria Green Crescent; Tajueddin Abiola from the Green Crescent Health Development Initiative (Nigeria); and Abdulkadir Siraj from the Green Crescent Ethiopia. At the closing session, Turkish Green Crescent Society President Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Dinç underscored the importance of international cooperation and solidarity in countering the growing influence of the addiction industry. Türkiye’s Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, who also attended the summit, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling these challenges through robust public health policies. Over the two-day program, participants exchanged perspectives on global addiction trends, emerging challenges, and effective prevention strategies, contributing to policy development within the framework of the Istanbul Initiative. Discussions emphasized the alarming rise in youth substance use, digital addictions, and the proliferation of e-cigarettes.  

Members of the International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC) participated in the Africa–Asia Drug Prevention and Treatment Summit, held on 27–28 October 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, which aimed to prevent drug use, expand access to treatment, and foster stronger cooperation between the two regions. A dedicated parallel session brought together IFGC representatives from Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Türkiye, Uganda, and Jordan, where participants shared insights on community-based, culturally sensitive, and inclusive approaches to substance use prevention and treatment. The session featured Abubakar K. Said and Zakariya Abdirahman Mohamed from the Green Crescent Society Kenya; Bakari Ali Mohammed from the Tanzania Green Crescent Community; Osman Abdi Omar from the Somali Green Crescent Society (SGCS); Phatma Ndahura, Ssendiwala Abdul Rahman, and Male Solomon from the Uganda Green Crescent Society; Ergin Beceren from the IFGC; and Mousa Daoud from The Jordan Anti Drugs Society. The interactive exchange highlighted shared challenges and innovative practices, particularly in improving access to care in underserved areas, developing gender-responsive programs, and supporting nomadic and refugee populations. The session once again reflected IFGC’s strong commitment to fostering collaboration among its members and building sustainable partnerships between Africa and Asia in the global effort to prevent substance use and promote recovery.