Watch opening address by Mia Amor Mottley

The world stands at a critical point, with its inequalities in sharp focus as the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic impact continues to increase unresolved challenges. Global leaders are now tasked with deciding whether the global agenda will focus on the resumption of business as usual or a redefined collaborative mission that translates the hopes and aspirations of people around the world into new and lasting prosperity for all.

From 16 to 18 September 2021, the UNCTAD Youth Forum will offer a dynamic platform to young men and women around the world to engage in critical and interactive dialogues in the form of discussion and career-building sessions, projects presented by youth, Youth o'Clocks, and networking at the Youth Café; all with the aim to prepare a Youth Declaration that will be officially submitted to governments at the UNCTAD15 ministerial Conference.

With the theme "Pull up: Change Di Riddim", the forum will be focusing on innovation, inclusion and youth empowerment for developmental transformation.

The agenda for day 1 covers:

• the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth and views on resetting refocusing and reengineering a forward-looking approach
• how new technologies and entrepreneurship can contribute to youth empowerment
• how governments and businesses can create economic opportunities benefitting the youth
• mastering a professional brand for career growth and how to create a good avatar online

The forum will continue during UNCTAD15 from 3 to 7 October 2021 where forum participants will be offered the opportunity to share their views with global leaders and present their Youth Declaration.

This year's forum is open for students and young professionals between the ages of 18 and 30 who speak English, are interested in trade and development-related issues and want to contribute to shaping the world that their generation will be at the helm of in 2030.

Watch recording of Day 1