2024 HLPF Side Event: Empowering Youth for Sustainable Development: Voices from the LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS

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вторник, 09 July 2024 - 8:15am to 9:45am

Background

Organized 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 collaboration with the UN Youth Office, this side event aims to amplify the voices of youth from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in driving sustainable development agendas. In the lead-up to the Youth Declaration of the Summit of the Future, youth speakers from LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS will share their experiences and discuss global challenges, ensuring that their voices are integral to global conversations.

The 45 LDCs, 32 LLDCs, and 39 SIDS face unique challenges in achieving sustainable development and internationally agreed goals. Despite these challenges, these regions possess significant economic, social, and environmental potential. Ensuring that the pressing needs of the young population in LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, home for 1.1 billion people remain high on the international agenda is crucial.

A young population brings numerous opportunities for economic growth and innovation. To realize these opportunities, it is imperative to engage youth, create spaces for their participation, and provide them with meaningful roles in decision-making processes. With the guidance and support of governments, young people can harness their collective power to drive positive change.

Objectives

The side event, featuring young speakers from LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS alongside global leaders, will underscore the importance of giving youth from these regions a seat at the table and ensuring their voices are heard effectively. By doing so, we can unlock the potential of young people to contribute significantly to sustainable development efforts worldwide.

The following focus topic discussions will highlight LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS youths’ experiences, insights, and innovative ideas at the side event:

1. Socioeconomic Development and Debt:

Youth from LDCs will delve into the impact of national debt on youth development. They will explore how debt constraints affect education, employment opportunities, and overall well-being, while also discussing pathways to achieve debt sustainability. These discussions will emphasize the need for innovative financial solutions and international support to alleviate the debt burden and foster a more prosperous future for young generations in LDCs.

2. ICT and Digital Innovation for Inclusive Growth

Representatives from LLDCs will highlight the transformative potential of ICT and digital innovation. They will present innovative solutions and initiatives that empower youth, bridge digital divides, and promote inclusive economic growth. These discussions will showcase experiences of youth in LLDCs leveraging technology to overcome geographical and infrastructural challenges, enhancing connectivity and opportunities for LLDCs’ future.

3. Environment and Climate Change

Youth representatives from SIDS address the pressing environmental challenges their communities face, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss. They will highlight youth-led initiatives and solutions aimed at mitigating these impacts and promoting sustainable development. These discussions will emphasize the critical role of youth in climate action and the need for global cooperation to support resilience and adaptation efforts in SIDS.

Expected Outcomes

This side event aims to spotlight the achievements and potential of youth in LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. It brings together young advocates, entrepreneurs, and storytellers with policymakers, and UN representatives to explore how collaborative efforts can amplify the impact of youth-led innovations on the 2030 Agenda, the implementation of the Doha Porgamme of Action (DPoA), Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), and of the forthcoming Programme of Action for LLDCs.

The side event will also build momentum towards the Youth Forum of the third United Nations Conference on LLDCs (LLDC3), scheduled to be held in Gaborone, Botswana in the fourth quarter of 2024. This forum will further engage youth voices and ensure that their contributions are integral to the planning and execution of development strategies for LLDCs.