麻豆传媒

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. 

Find the explanation of the focus areas at the following link:

Abstract Submission Guidelines:  

Prospective authors are invited to submit an abstract prior to submitting a full paper. The abstract should be no longer than 1000 words and include the following elements: 

• Title: Clearly linked to one or more of the Forum’s thematic focus areas, with a short background and rationale. 

• Research objectives and questions: Specify the key issues the paper will address. 

• Proposed methodology and approach: Briefly describe the analytical framework, methods, and data sources. 

• Expected contribution and value addition: Highlight how the research will advance knowledge, provide policy insights, or generate lessons relevant for LDCs. 

Abstracts will be reviewed for relevance, originality, and policy significance. Selected authors will be invited to submit full papers. 

 
Paper Submission Guidelines 

Papers should be analytical in nature and provide concrete, forward-looking policy recommendations to inform policymakers in the context of the 2027 midterm review of the DPoA. Submissions are expected to: 

• Draw on the most recent and relevant data to identify key trends across the LDC group. 

• Where lessons are drawn from countries outside the LDC category, highlight their direct relevance and applicability to the LDC context. 

• For cross-country assessments, include at least one LDC in the analysis or clearly articulate transferable lessons for LDCs. 

• Contribute original research, policy analysis, or case studies aligned with the Forum’s overall theme and focus areas. 

Submissions are welcome from scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and youth representatives. Papers linked to ongoing research projects are also encouraged. 

Selected authors will be invited to present their work during the Forum and engage in policy-oriented discussions. Final papers will also inform the Forum’s outcome report and policy briefs, contributing directly to the Midterm Review of the DPoA, which will be held in Doha, in March 2027. 

Key Dates 

• Deadline for submission of abstracts (max 1,000 words): 9 November 2025 

• Notification of acceptance: 26 November 2025 

• Deadline for full paper submission: 10 March 2026 

• Forum dates: 19–21 May 2026 

 
Funding 

Authors from all countries are invited to submit papers. Please note, however, that a limited number of travel and accommodation grants will be available for authors from LDCs whose papers are accepted for presentation. 

 
Submission Process 

Extended abstracts should be submitted in PDF or Word format via email to: ohrlls-ldcff@un.org (Subject line: LDC Future Forum 2026 – Paper Submission). 

Submissions must include: 

• Title of the paper 

• Author(s) name, affiliation, and contact details 

• Thematic area addressed 

 
Partners 

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