LDC Future Forum Call for Papers : Transforming LDCs by Empowering the Youth Population through Education, Innovation, and Inclusive Growth

Background

The Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), in collaboration with the Government of Finland, will convene the Fourth LDC Future Forum, in Helsinki from 18 to 21 May 2026. The Forum will focus on the transformative role of youth in driving sustainable and inclusive development in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). OHRLLS invites the submission of high-quality, policy-relevant papers addressing various focus areas under this central theme. 

LDCs hold a unique demographic advantage, with more than 60% of their population under the age of 25, including around 20% who are youth aged 15–24. This generation is central to shaping pathways toward sustainable graduation and long-term development. Realizing this potential requires urgent investments in quality education, including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathemetics (STEM); skills development; innovation ecosystems’ and inclusive growth models. Such investments are essential not only for advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development but also for informing preparations for the 2027 Midterm Review of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA). Both the DPoA and the SDGs highlight education, skills development and Science, Technology and Innovation as critical drivers of strengthened productive capacities and inclusive, sustainable growth. 

The theme of this Forum is closely aligned with Priority 1 of the DPoA, as well as with SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), reinforcing global commitments to build resilient, knowledge-driven, and youth-centered development pathways. 

Objectives of the Forum

• Develop actionable policy recommendations to accelerate the implementation of the DPoA.
• Identify and promote innovative, evidence-based solutions to expand youth education, digital skills, job creation, and entrepreneurship in LDCs.
• Strengthen collaboration and partnerships across governments, academia, private sector, and civil society to catalyze inclusive growth.
• Foster multi-stakeholder dialogue and exchange of lessons learned.

Thematic Focus Areas

• Bridging the Skills Gap: Aligning educational systems and vocational training with the demands of future economies and job markets.
• Digital Learning Revolution: Expanding online universities and e-learning platforms to improve STEM education and digital access for marginalized youth.
• Youth Innovation Ecosystems: Building entrepreneurship programmes, start-ups, and technology hubs to empower young people as innovators and job creators.
• Inclusive Growth Models: Promoting equitable participation of all youth, with emphasis on gender equality and marginalized groups.

As a contribution to the overall proceedings of the Future Forum, UN-OHRLLS and its organizing partners issued a call for research papers on the themes of the Forum. Following a review process, the most highly-rated papers for originality and policy relevance have been selected to be featured as part of the Forum’s background documents, which are linked below. In addition, sponsorship for participation at the Forum is being provided to a limited number of researchers from the least developed countries.

Selected Authors & Papers

1. Hama Diallo Cherno Ali
2. Yasser Bonia
3. Neque Alcino António João Francisco
4. Jack Huang
5. Christine Laurente
6. Sabrina Regmi
7. Vostinar Raluca Roxana
8. Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi.
9. Riti Srivastava
10. Poly Tun
11. A S Sochipem Zimik

Partners 

The Forum is co-organized by OHRLLS and the Government of Finland, with support from UNU-WIDER and the OECD Development Centre.