Date: 6 July 2026
Time: 10:00 – 11:15 AM
Venue: Conference Room C, United Nations Headquarters, New York
Objectives
The side event aims to:
- Present evidence and lessons from the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan regarding youth livelihoods and informal economic activity in fragile urban contexts;
- Examine the principal constraints affecting youth-led micro and small enterprises, including limited access to finance, weak market integration, inadequate infrastructure, low productivity and skills gaps;
- Explore practical policy options and local solutions that can support youth transitions from vulnerable informal employment to more productive and sustainable livelihoods;
- Identify opportunities to strengthen local economic development and job creation in rapidly urbanizing and fragile settings;
- Showcase a joint framework developed by UNECA and the United Nations Resident Coordinator System to support youth employment, enterprise development and inclusive urban economic transformation;
- Promote dialogue and partnership among governments, local authorities, development partners, youth organizations, regional institutions and the United Nations system on priority actions and follow-up initiatives.