Building on the recently launched UNCCD Youth Engagement Strategy and recognizing the critical role of young people in addressing the challenges of land degradation and desertification, the Global Youth Caucus on Land and Desertification (UNCCD Youth Caucus) together with the UNCCD secretariat, the host country of COP16, UNEP, UN Women, UNDP, AGFUND, ICESCO, IOM, ILO, Aeon collective, GIZ, LANDESA and Misk Foundation are organising a three-day forum aiming to empower young leaders, facilitate knowledge exchange, and catalyze action towards restoring and protecting our lands for future generations and will serve as a platform for youth to exchange ideas, build skills, and mobilize action towards a sustainable future for our lands. 

By empowering young leaders and fostering collaboration, we can make significant strides in addressing land degradation and desertification, contributing to global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the UNCCD as young people are stewards of the future, youth are key actors in driving positive change and fostering sustainable land management practices. 

Objectives:

1. Empower youth to become advocates for sustainable land management while amplifying youth voices and perspectives to increase the visibility of youth, building upon YES, the outcomes of the Youth Voices towards UNCCD COP16, and the Youth Caucus Call to Action. 
2. Encourage the different stakeholders to implement the YES and the activities identified to ensure the meaningful engagement of the youth
3. Foster collaboration and networking among young leaders working on land-related issues 
4. Provide a platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building on effective land restoration and conservation strategies fostering education and capacity building, especially for youth, on DLDD.
5. Generate innovative solutions and actionable recommendations to address land degradation and desertification.
6. Provide recommendations to the Parties to ensure the stronger, effective and meaningful participation of youth in meetings and process of the convention.
7.  Promote solutions and provide opportunities to young people particularly in the creation and establishment of green, decent and land-based jobs for youth. 

Main outcome of the Youth Forum:

• Joint Youth Statement to be presented to and adopted by the parties during COP16

The youth conference will be closed on the occasion of People’s Day on 7th December with the organization of a 2 hours high level event with the participation of the COP President, the Minister of Human Resources and Social of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, high rank government officials and youth representatives to present the outcomes of the conference and commitments for ensuring the meaningful engagement of the youth.

Lead Organizers: UNCCD Youth Caucus, UNEP, UNCCD