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ISTANBUL, Türkiye—Least Developed Countries (LDCs) should seize the unique opportunity of having a large number of young people. Investing in them will speed up their economic growth and help them meet development priorities, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), UNFPA’s Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, said today at the LDC Summit in Istanbul.

Dr. Osotimehin made the call in impassioned remarks at a high-level debate on human and social development, gender equality and empowerment of women. His audience included LDC leaders, such as prime ministers, vice presidents and ministers, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

“Given the large youth populations in the LDCs, where 6 in 10 people are under the age of 25, these countries have a unique opportunity, and responsibility, to invest in young people, especially adolescent girls, to accelerate growth and improve equity,” said Dr. Osotimehin.

“They can be a powerful force for progress, if they are equipped with education, health and skills to reach their full potential,” he said. “Investing in young people is one of the most significant and cost-effective strategies for achieving global development goals, including the MDGs. If we fail to invest in this generation’s well-being—in their education, health and employment—we will further entrench poverty and deprivation.

“One of the most underappreciated, yet highly effective areas of investment is reproductive health,” Dr. Osotimehin added. “This investment reduces infant, child and maternal deaths; slows population growth; enhances the empowerment of women and girls; reduces poverty; and saves public spending on social services in the long run.

“My main argument,” Dr. Osotimehin passionately declared, “is now is the time to invest in women and young people. If we seize the opportunity to support, engage and invest in women and young people, we will improve productivity and prosperity for generations to come.

“Improving the health and status of women and girls,” Dr. Osotimehin continued, “has a positive multiplier effect because when women succeed, they lift themselves, their families and their communities with them. According to a recent analysis published by The Lancet, half the reduction in child mortality over the past 40 years can be directly attributed to better education for women—if a woman knows better how to care for her child.

”Investments in family planning and maternal and newborn health have contributed to a decline of at least 30 per cent in maternal deaths in 19 countries,” the Executive Director continued. “So, it’s clear that with the right tools, the right partnerships, and the right commitment, we can achieve real results. And it’s not only the right thing to do; it is also smart economics.”

Contributing to the debate, the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili, agreed with the UNFPA Executive Director that deliberate efforts should be made to concentrate on young people.

Other panelists at the debate included Dr. Osotimehin’s fellow agency heads of UN Women, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Organization for Migration.
 

Contact information:

In Istanbul: Abubakar Dungus, Cell: 0538 962 0510 or +1 646 226 6120 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting               +1 646 226 6120        end_of_the_skype_highlighting ; dungus@unfpa.org
In New York: Omar Gharzeddine; + 1 212 297 5028 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting               + 1 212 297 5028        end_of_the_skype_highlighting ; gharzeddine@unfpa.org