Yesterday marked the official closing of the Regional Youth Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), held over the last three days in the capital of Ecuador. Three representatives from the Government of Ecuador — H.E. Betty Tola, Minister for Economic and Social Inclusion H.E. Pabel Munoz, National Secretary for Planning and Development and H.E. Freddy Ehlers, Secretary of Well-being — as well as the Deputy Director for UNFPA in the LAC region Mr. Esteban Caballero, CARICOM Youth Ambassador Dwayne Gutzmer, and the United Nations Secretary-General”s Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi all  attended the closing ceremony.

The outcome document from the forum will be conveyed by youth representatives from LAC at the ECOSOC global youth forum in New York in June.

CARICOM Youth Ambassadors discussing with the Envoy.

CARICOM Youth Ambassadors discussing with the Envoy.

Within the framework of his visit, Alhendawi met with the United Nations Country Team and discussed how the UN’s System-Wide Action Plan on Youth can be reflected in the work of UN agencies present in Ecuador. He was particularly pleased that the UNCT in their meeting decided to launch a Youth Advisory Panel in Ecuador.

The United Nations Country Team in Ecuador.

The United Nations Country Team in Ecuador.

During the second and third days of the forum, Alhendawi participated in a range of activities, which included a meeting with the HIV Positive Network in the LAC region, visiting a fair organised by the Government of Ecuador and two UN agencies, signing the football for the UN AIDS “Protege la meta” campaign, and engaged with various youth groups from across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Visiting information fair.

Visiting information fair.

"Protege la meta."

“Protege la meta.”

Youth from the Caribbean.

Youth from the Caribbean.

"Soy arriesgado porque expreso lo que siento."

“Soy arriesgado porque expreso lo que siento.”

Before returning to New York, the Envoy visited one of the five community centres Children International has in Quito, which through sponsors are helping 55,000 children and adolescents in Ecuador.