缅北禁地

LDC Future Forum

Innovation for structural transformation in
Least Developed Countries
5-6 March 2024, Helsinki, Finland

 

The LDC Future Forum is a platform that brings together researchers and bright minds in global development with policymakers to explore how to harness innovation, digitalization and technology to foster structural transformation and sustainable development in LDCs – one of our country groups.

If you missed the second LDC Future Forum, you can check the sessions on our . 

Photo of all participants and organizers

 

 

Overview

 

Streets of Helsinki during the night

 

High Level Ministerial dialogues

Along with the UN-Ministerial opening and closing sessions, the forum includes a High-level dialogue with Ministers about strategies to accelerate innovation and structural transformation.

Shipment

 

Keynote speakers & special sessions

Keynote speakers will discuss how innovation can bring structural transformation, and the forum will host a special session that will dive into the role of the private sector in the transformation of LDC economies with a focus on agrifood systems.

Elderly woman with a young boy interact with a computer

 

Four thematic sessions and AI fireside chat

These are the core sessions of our conference. From investment in education to job creation and entrepreneurship. From diversification of LDC economies to international collaboration. Along these topics, the forum will host a fireside chat focused on AI

 

LDC5 Monitor

Out of the program but under the umbrella of the forum, on 7 March, a session will focus on defining the scope and uses of a . The session, organized by UNU-Wider will be streamed on our Youtube channel.

Thematic sessions

 

Girl at the school with a computer

Building innovation capacity through investments in education and skills development

This session will explore examples of enhancing access to education and training through online tools, including through digital inclusion; how improved STEM education can enhance productivity and structural transformation, including through supporting school to work transitions; and how to support LDCs in developing the ability to absorb new technologies and skills to close the digital divide.

Thematic session 1

girl washing hands in a water pipe

Innovative entrepreneurship to drive structural transformation and job creation

This session will focus on how innovative entrepreneurship can be stimulated, including through policy reforms; opportunities of digitalization in enhancing productivity and creating decent jobs, the potential of innovation and structural transformation to close the gender divide, as well as of e-commerce as an enabler for a resilient and inclusive integration of LDCs in regional and global value chains.

Thematic session 2

Destroyed village

Diversifying LDC economies into sectors with potential

This thematic meeting will examine what it will take for LDCs to develop innovative sectors that are crucial for development and have the potential for long-term profitability and growing demand. Discussions will explore how to enter new markets and innovative sectors and create positive spillovers to the rest of the economy. Sectors to be highlighted in this session include vaccines and protective equipment, sustainable energy solutions, and agro-processing.

Discussions will explore how to enter new markets and innovative sectors and create positive spillovers to the rest of the economy. Sectors to be highlighted in this session include vaccines and protective equipment, sustainable energy solutions, and agro-processing.

Thematic session 3

General Assembly hall

Fireside chat: Managing the risks and identifying the benefits of technology, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), in fostering productivity in LDCs

This fireside chat among well-known researchers and practitioners will discuss how LDCs, with their specific vulnerabilities can harness the benefits of advanced technologies while managing the associated risks.

Fireside chat

General Assembly hall

International support measures for LDCs

This discussion will focus on what support LDCs need in order to achieve the goals of the DPoA. It will discuss ways to advance sustainable graduation and suggest lessons learned for the Third 缅北禁地Conference on LLDCs.

Thematic session 4

This forum is organized by: