51猎奇

New York / Helsinki, 19 May 2026 — The fourth edition of the LDC Future Forum opened today in Helsinki, Finland, bringing together policymakers, researchers, private sector leaders, youth representatives, and development partners to explore solutions for empowering young people and accelerating sustainable development in the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Convened by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) in partnership with the Government of Finland, the Forum is held under the theme: “Transforming LDCs by Empowering the Youth Population through Education, Innovation, and Inclusive Growth.”

Investing in Youth as a Driver of Transformation

Over three days, participants will engage in high-level dialogue and evidence-based discussions focused on strengthening young people’s skills and expanding access to the opportunities and tools to thrive in rapidly evolving economies. The Forum places strong emphasis on advancing Priority 1 of the Doha Programme of Action—Investing in People, recognizing youth as a driving force for innovation, economic transformation, and resilience in LDCs.

“With over 60 percent of the population in Least Developed Countries under the age of 25, investing in young people is not only a moral imperative but a strategic necessity,” said Ms. Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. “This Forum provides a critical platform to mobilize partnerships, share innovative solutions, and equip youth with the education, skills, and opportunities they need to lead transformative change and drive sustainable and inclusive growth,” she added.

Strengthening Multilateral Cooperation and Partnerships

The Forum highlights the importance of global partnerships and multilateral cooperation in addressing complex development challenges and advancing the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries.

“The current geopolitical situation underlines the importance of multilateral cooperation. At the LDC Future Forum, Finland, the UN and LDCs will be working together to find solutions to support sustainable development,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

Leveraging Innovation and Private Sector Expertise

Discussions will also emphasize the role of innovation, entrepreneurship, and private sector engagement in creating job opportunities and supporting sustainable growth in LDCs.

“By harnessing Finnish business expertise to advance development policy objectives, it will be possible to stimulate new markets and create job opportunities in developing countries. This will improve opportunities for local experts to find employment in their own countries and highlight the key role of education in supporting sustainable development,” said Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio.

Key Focus Areas of the Forum

Over the course of the Forum, participants will engage in dialogue and policy discussions across four core thematic areas:

• Addressing skills gaps by aligning education systems and vocational training with the demands of evolving labor markets and future economies.
• Advancing the digital learning revolution, including expanding access to online education and improving STEM learning opportunities for marginalized youth, particularly girls and those in rural communities.
• Building dynamic youth innovation ecosystems, supporting entrepreneurship, startups, and technology hubs to foster job creation and scalable solutions.
• Promoting inclusive growth models that ensure equal opportunities for all young people, with particular attention to gender equality and the inclusion of marginalized groups.

Driving Action Toward Sustainable Development Goals

Through cross-sector collaboration and evidence-based dialogue, the Forum aims to generate actionable policy recommendations to support the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Doha Programme of Action provides the overarching framework guiding coordinated efforts to support structural transformation, resilience, and sustainable development in Least Developed Countries.

The Forum’s outcomes will also inform preparations for the Midterm Review of the Doha Programme of Action in 2027, reinforcing global efforts to build more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous societies across LDCs.

About the Forum

The Fourth LDC Future Forum is co-organized by UN-OHRLLS and the Government of Finland, with support from the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) and the OECD Development Centre.

Key Links:

• Event Website: /ohrlls/ldc-future-forum-2026
• Doha Programme of Action: /ldc5/sites/www.un.org.ldc5/files/doha_booklet-web.pdf
• Monitoring Framework for the DPoA: /ohrlls/content/monitoring-framework-dpoa

Social Media:

Follow LDC Future Forum using hashtags:

#LDCFutureForum; #YouthPower; #DPoA; #LDCs

UNOHRLLS:

• X (formerly Twitter): @UNOHRLLS, @USGRabab_UN
• LinkedIn: UN-OHRLLS
• Facebook: UN-OHRLLS
• Instagram: @unohrlls

Finland:

• X (formerly Twitter): @FinlandUN; @elinavaltonen; @UIkoministerio
• Instagram: @mfafinland
• Linkedin: Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

UNU-WIDER:

• X (formerly Twitter): @UNUWIDER
• LinkedIn: unu-wider
• Facebook: UNUWIDER

Media Contact:

May Yaacoub, Head of Advocacy and Outreach| UN-OHRLLS | yaacoubm@un.org

Sithembile Siziba, Public Information Officer| UN-OHRLLS | Sithembile.siziba@un.org

Outi Koskinen, Senior Specialist, Communications Department, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, outi.koskinen@gov.fi