The African and Arab Youth Council was founded in 2004 at the conclusion of the International Youth Festivals of the African and Arab Youth held in Khartoum auspices of the National Federation of Sudanese Youth, with support from the Government of Sudan. In 2005, an Executive Committee was formed for the African and Arab Youth Council, to follow up the legal mandate of the organization, vision, mission and objectives of the AAYC, and entire membership with the Africa Union and Arab League. With the sponsorship of the Government of Sudan, the Secretariat was established in Khartoum, while Libya Uganda, and other Governments provided other support.
AAYC has since widened its membership and grown to cover more African Countries especially through the National Youth Councils, Youth Non-Governmental Organisations and Political Party Youth Leagues, and Arab Countries through National Youth Organisations, Youth Non-Governmental Organisations, and Diaspora Youths Organisations.