On 6 August 2025, within the framework of the LLDC3 Youth Forum, a parallel event entitled “Youth Policy in Action: Strengthening Regional Leadership and Strategic Investments for LLDCs” brought together representatives of government bodies, the UN system, youth leaders, and civil society to discuss the strategic future of youth participation in the life of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).

The event marked another important stage in the development of a movement launched with the Central Asian Youth Dialogue in Arkadag, which gained international momentum during its second meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York in April 2025 and has now expanded its influence and outreach in Avaza at the LLDC3 Youth Forum.

From Arkadag to New York, from New York to Avaza

Thanks to initiatives such as the Central Asian Youth Dialogue, the region has built a dynamic platform for exchange, cooperation, and joint action.

The Dialogue, launched in Arkadag and strengthened in New York, has become a powerful tool for uniting the voices of Central Asian youth. This is reflected in the Statement of Participants, which underscores that the demographic dividend is a foundation for sustainable development.

In Avaza, the initiatives born in Arkadag and further developed in New York have gone beyond the region, resonating with LLDC youth from across the world. The journey from Arkadag to New York, and from New York to Avaza, symbolizes not only geographical progress but also the institutional consolidation of the youth dialogue, making it a key global platform for LLDC youth.

Key Insights and Positions of the Speakers

• Azat Atayev, Deputy Minister of Education of Turkmenistan, stressed the need to institutionalize mechanisms for shaping economic policy based on demographic analysis. He emphasized that youth potential should be directed towards high value‑added creative industries, transforming the demographic dividend into sustainable economic growth.
• Kaha Imnadze, Special Representative of the UN Secretary‑General for Central Asia and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), highlighted the importance of instilling values of peace and trust in youth. He proposed establishing an Academy of Preventive Diplomacy as an institutional platform for fostering youth consolidation and mutual understanding.
• Kemal Goshliyev, Head of the UNFPA Office in Turkmenistan, underlined that effective demographic policy and harnessing youth potential are strategic resources for the development of LLDCs.
• Felipe Paullier, UN Assistant Secretary‑General for Youth Affairs (video message), and Francois‑Xavier Batalingaya, UN Resident Coordinator in Chad, stressed the need for universal access to education and lifelong learning, as well as access to financial resources for start‑ups. They noted the role of technical and vocational education in enhancing youth competitiveness.
• Otabek Shavkatov, Chair of the “World Association Youth of Uzbekistan,” and Sabine Mahl, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan, pointed to the importance of integrating youth policy management mechanisms into regional and local structures, as well as actively involving youth in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Rita Columbia, UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia, emphasized the need to institutionalize youth participation in decision‑making processes.

Call to Action

To realize the potential of the demographic dividend for sustainable development, session participants called on all LLDCs to:

1. Empower youth as strategic partners in national development;
2. Align education with labour market needs by updating curricula and developing practical skills;
3. Accelerate economic growth by integrating youth into innovation, entrepreneurship, and high‑technology sectors.

Participants expressed their readiness to continue this dialogue and cooperation at future international platforms and global policy centres — ensuring that LLDC youth not only have a voice, but also play a decisive role in shaping the decisions that determine their future.

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