Around 1,000 young people from around the world will get together in Istanbul for the 5th World Youth Congress to begin on July 31.

Organized once every two years, the fifth edition of the congress will take place in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul, the 2010 European Capital of Culture.

Previous four events were held in Hawaii, Morocco, Scotland and Canada.

During the two-week congress, young people from several countries will have the chance to learn a lot about Turkish culture, about Turkish people, and the history of one of the oldest civilizations of the world - which is now the 2nd fastest growing modern economy in the world after China, officials of the Turkish organization committee said.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to take part at the opening of the congress on August 1.

The main objective of the World Youth Congress is to gather together young people from different nationalities and inspire them to take action on issues such as poverty, climate change, peace, democracy and human rights.

AA