Ushering sustainable development in African LDCs through youth engagement and employment
The FAO Director-General made the case for agri‑food systems transformation, digital innovation and youth empowerment to be at the heart of the development agenda for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Africa and beyond
25 May 2021 – New York. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), organized a virtual side event on stimulating youth employment and supporting the agricultural and agri-business sectors in LDCs in Africa, post‑COVID‑19. It took place under the framework of the first meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), and on the occasion of the observance of Africa Day.
The virtual side event served as a timely opportunity to underscore the importance of the agricultural sector in the economies and societies of LDCs in Africa. With agriculture accounting for a large share of gross domestic product in LDCs, the sector also employs a large proportion of the labour force and is a major source of foreign exchange. Agriculture is also essential, as it supplies the majority of basic foodstuffs and provides subsistence and livelihoods to more than half of the populations across all LDCs.
Building momentum towards LDC5 in Doha: the untapped potential of youth
The event’s discussions ushered in a call for a focus on youth, decent employment and redoubled investment opportunities in LDCs in Africa, the discussions on which shall help inform and set the stepping stones in preparation for the LDC5 Conference to take place in Doha, Qatar, slated from 23 to 27 January, 2022, where participants will build an ambitious new programme for action for LDCs, as the final decade of action for the 2030 agenda gathers pace.
Offering opening remarks were the heads of agency of the co-hosting organizations, LI Yong, UNIDO’s Director-General, and QU Dongyu, FAO’s Director-General.
“There is so much we can do to help LDCs in getting back on track towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We need to continue reducing poverty and inequalities, and make sure no one is left behind,” Li Yong, said.
Qu Dongyu, FAO’s Director General, supported this sentiment. “Harnessing the creativity, talent and energy of the youth is key in transforming agri-food systems into a powerful lever for achieving economic transformation and sustainable growth,” he said.
Youth engagement as a catalytic driver of change
The interactive session focused on concrete and rapid actions on how to propel forward innovative ideas in LDCs, especially among youth. These actions are in line with UNIDO and FAO’s efforts in support of the AUC to respond to the 2014 Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agriculture Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, which envisions the creation of more job opportunities for youth in the agricultural sector.
The event’s keynote speaker, Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment of the African Union Commission, recognized the importance of this virtual gathering and those that shall follow.
“The Istanbul Programme of Action for LDCs for the decade 2011–2020 is coming to an end,” she said, pointing to the timeliness of these discussions that will build towards LDC5. “Since 1971 when the LDCs category was created by the United Nations, African countries have dominated the list. Six decades later, that is today, Africa is still at the top of this list, accounting for 33 out of the 47 LDCs globally,” she pointed out.
A panel discussion followed, with a wide variety of prominent voices shedding light on the catalytic potential that today’s youth, especially in LDCs, represent for economic growth, poverty reduction and inclusive development efforts on the road to 2030.
Angélica Jácome Daza, FAO’s Director of the Office of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), spoke to this respect. “Agriculture and agribusiness have an invaluable, untapped potential to address youth employment challenges,” she said, adding that “FAO already works with governments and supports in the design and implementation of strategies that more effectively target rural youth.”
The event’s interactive discussions, showcase of best practices and inspiring stories of young entrepreneurs helped encourage a shared understanding among participants that the potential for sustainable development harnessed by youth engagement and innovation cannot be overstated, especially in the context of poverty eradication and food security throughout the African LDCs.
Related links
- See FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative
- See FAO’s work on decent rural employment
- Stay informed on LDC5 developments
- FAO–UNIDO Opportunities for Youth in Africa Programme