麻豆APP

Transforming LDCs by Empowering the Youth Population through Education, Innovation, and Inclusive Growth

19-21 May 2026, Helsinki, Finland

The Fourth LDC Future Forum represents a strategic moment to convert the energy and creativity of youth into concrete progress through targeted investments in education, innovation, decent jobs, and inclusive growth. This ambition reflects the vision of the Doha Programme of Action, which regards youth and human capital as essential to development and graduation from LDC status.

Through rigorous research, evidence-driven debate, and multi-sector collaboration, the Fourth Future Forum aims to deliver scalable solutions that advance global prosperity and stability. The theme of this Forum is aligned with Priority 1 of the DPoA, SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), which will contribute to the 2030 Agenda and preparations for the DPoA Midterm Review in 2027. The Forum will reaffirm the global commitment to placing youth empowerment at the heart of LDC development strategies.

Documents

• Concept Note
•  ENGLISH
• Guidance Note for panellists and moderators
• Information Note for Participants (English | French)
• Issue papers
  • High-level Panel discussion on Bridging the Skills Gap: Aligning Educational Systems with Future Labour Markets (English | French)
  • Advancing the Digital Learning Revolution in LDCs (English | French)
  • Promoting inclusive growth: unleashing the potential of youth, gender equality and marginalized groups (English | French)
  • Fireside chat on Building vibrant youth innovation ecosystems (English | French)
  • From Insight to Impact: Bridging Research and Policy in LDCs
  • Monitoring DPOA Implementation for the Midterm Review: tracking Progress, partnerships and policy pathways for transformation
• DPoA Deliverable: Online University

Statements/Presentations

Tuesday, 19 May
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High-level opening session

• Statement by Ms. Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa, Permanent Representative of Nepal to 麻豆APP, Chair of the LDC group

High-level Panel discussion on Bridging the Skills Gap: Aligning Educational Systems with Future Labour Markets

• Presentation by Ms. Prudence Kaoma, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Zambia

Wednesday, 20 May
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De-brief of the field visits

• De-brief of the field visits

Special Address

Panel discussion: Advancing the Digital Learning Revolution in LDCs

• Presentation by Mr. Roland Mollerus, Director, UN-OHRLLS – Special presentation on online university for LDCs
• Presentation by Mr. Shai Reshef, Founder and President of University of the People

Panel discussion on Promoting inclusive growth: unleashing the potential of youth, gender equality and marginalized groups

• Presentation by Ms. Martha Belayneh, Country Coordinator, Abilis, Ethiopia

Beyond Digital as Usual: Learning Innovation in LDCs

• Presentation by Mr. Frank van Cappelle, UNICEF Global Lead, Digital Education

Captivate Session

• Presentation by Researcher: Mr. Yasser Boina, Comoros, “Impact of digital development on the labor market in Senegal”
• Presentation by Researcher: Mr. Neque Alcino António Jo?o Francisco, Mozambique “Youth Innovation Ecosystems in Conflict-Affected Least Developed Countries: Lessons from Northern Mozambique”

Closing session

• Statement by Ms. Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)

Thursday, 21 May
()

From Insight to Impact: Bridging Research and Policy in LDCs

• Presentation by Mr. Tarafder Md. Akther Jamil, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education of Bangladesh

Roundtable on Building Sustainable TVET Systems in an Age of Disruption

• Presentation by Dr. Edward Samuel Jones, Senior Research Fellow, UNU-WIDER

Monitoring DPOA Implementation for the Midterm Review: tracking Progress, partnerships and policy pathways for transformation

• Presentation by Mr. Abdul Alim, LDC Team Lead, UN-OHRLLS
• Ethiopia's Experience on DPoA Preparation and Development Path
• Presentation by Ms. Idmane Moussa Ali, Special Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Economy and Finance of Djibouti
• Presentation by Ms. Miniva Chibuye, Head - LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau