The Youth Forum was held within the framework of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries

On August 4, 2025, the Youth Forum was held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone within the framework of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

This large-scale Forum was attended by youth representatives from 32 landlocked developing countries, leaders and representatives of relevant government agencies of Turkmenistan, as well as international organizations.

The main goals of the Forum are to involve young people in the implementation of the new Action Program for LLDC, exchange experience in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and develop solutions and initiatives aimed at the socio-economic development of landlocked countries.

As representatives of Turkmenistan noted at the opening ceremony of the Forum, under the wise leadership of the President of the country, systematic work is being carried out in our country to comprehensively support young people.

The Youth Declaration “Building Bridges for the Future of Landlocked Developing Countries” developed by the International Committee of Youth Organizations and the UN Major Group on Children and Youth was then presented for discussion.

The document, prepared after extensive consultations with young people from 32 landlocked countries, with the support of the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island States and the Youth Advisory Group on Landlocked Developing Countries, was endorsed by the Forum participants.

This Declaration, aimed at ensuring the participation of youth in decision-making in LLDCs, empowering young people to achieve the goals and objectives of the new Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries, reflects the vision of the young generation for a better future.

Addressing the participants, UN Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island States, Secretary-General of the Third UN Conference on LLDCs Rabab Fatima emphasized that young people are the driving force of modern reforms and innovations, and their ideas and desire for peace play a key role in overcoming the difficulties their countries face.

Then, the President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly Philemon Young spoke, noting that the UN attaches great importance to empowering young people, ensuring their access to quality education, technology and decent jobs, as well as their active participation in decision-making at all levels, and expressed confidence that a brighter future will be built through joint efforts.

Following the Forum, Secretary-General of the Third UN Conference on LLDCs Rabab Fatima solemnly presented the Youth Declaration to the representatives of the Turkmen side.

The subsequent session, “Youth in Focus: Building Bridges for the Future of Landlocked Developing Countries,” focused on the critical role of youth in shaping the future, promoting innovative ideas, strengthening partnerships and ensuring the growth needed to achieve sustainable development and implement the next 10-year Action Programme in landlocked developing countries.

Speakers noted the significant role of modern technologies in obtaining quality education and the importance of online learning, educational platforms and mobile applications in creating an inclusive educational environment. At the same time, the importance of ensuring equal access to them for all was noted.

It is known that the key aspect of maintaining sustainable economic development is the promotion of innovative activity, as well as the implementation of digital modernization of the economy. Throughout the world, the main driving force for innovative growth is youth entrepreneurship, since it is young talents who create the most breakthrough technologies that can subsequently become competitive at the global level. Thus, the current event emphasized the important role of youth in building a bright future, noting that investments in their ideas and initiatives will contribute to the prosperity of nations.

The Forum included the opening ceremonies of the Landlinked Fellowship exhibition and the honoring of Landlinked scholarship holders.

The exhibition presented innovative developments aimed at supporting digital entrepreneurship among young people and projects to solve important problems faced by young businessmen in various countries around the world.