Building Tomorrow's Leaders: WFP Supports Youth Diplomats Driving Solutions for Food Security and Green Innovation

Their conference badges hanging proudly from their necks, delegates arrived with diverse experiences, fresh ideas, and a shared determination to create positive change. Filled with anticipation and hope, they gathered under this year's theme, "Green Legacy for Sustainable Agriculture Development and Green Innovation," ready to learn, debate, and collaborate on solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including food security, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and innovation. The conference provided a unique platform for young people to strengthen their leadership and diplomatic skills while contributing ideas for a more resilient and sustainable future.

Now in its sixth year, Leadership and Cooperation Conference (LCC) has grown into one of Ethiopia's premier platforms for nurturing youth leadership and diplomacy. This year's edition is jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, the Ethiopian Youth Federation, the World Food Programme (WFP), and Safe Light Initiatives, a partnership that reflects a commitment to empowering young people to contribute to national development priorities and global agendas.

This year’s conference theme resonates strongly with the challenges and opportunities facing Ethiopia today. As climate change continues to impact livelihoods and food systems, there is an increasing need for innovative solutions and collaborative action to strengthen resilience and food security. Young people have a critical role to play in this effort, bringing fresh perspectives and creativity to some of the country's most pressing development challenges.

“The Leadership and Cooperation Conference gave me the opportunity to connect with young people and leaders from different backgrounds, share ideas, and learn how collaboration can help address challenges facing our communities. It inspired me to take a more active role in promoting sustainable solutions and positive change.”

 –Natanim Tesfaye, Youth Participant, LCC.

LCC 2026 aligns with WFP Ethiopia’s commitment to supporting the Government’s efforts in building resilient and self-reliant food systems through community-led and locally owned solutions. It offered a strong platform to showcase WFP’s climate resilience work and engage decision-makers in attendance, including Government ministers, ambassadors, private sector and financial institution representatives, and media organizations. 

Across Ethiopia, WFP works alongside the Government and other partners to strengthen food security and resilience through climate-adaptive livelihoods, supporting smallholder farmers, pastoralists, women, and youth with sustainable agricultural practices, water management solutions, market access, financial services, and climate risk-management tools. Together, these investments are helping communities adapt to climate shocks, improve productivity, diversify incomes, and build pathways towards greater self-reliance.

Adding a practical dimension to the conference, WFP Ethiopia's IGNITE Innovation Champions joined delegates to share firsthand experiences from the field. Drawing on their work with communities across the country, they highlighted how innovation is being used to strengthen food security, support sustainable livelihoods, and build resilience to climate shocks. Their stories offered young delegates valuable insights into the power of local solutions and reinforced the importance of innovation in addressing development challenges.

The conference serves as a reminder that lasting progress is achieved through partnership. The three-day program immersed participants in the practice of diplomacy while grounding their work in a pressing national challenge: building a more sustainable and innovative agricultural sector. A city tour of Addis Ababa, a diplomatic dinner, and a diplomatic simulation and showcase gave delegates hands-on experience in negotiation, representation, and cross-cultural dialogue.

The diplomatic dinner drew a high-level lineup of speakers: H.E. Dr. Ergogie Tesfaye, Minister of Women and Social Affairs, delivered a keynote address, followed by H.E. Addisu Arega, Minister of Agriculture, who gave a keynote speech and graced by the Guest of Honor of the day H.E. Temesegn Tiruneh the Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia commenced the conference. Dr. Ozzina of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator's (UNRCO) also addressed his inspirational journey of diplomacy from a young delegate to become a UN director.

The conference culminated on its third and final day with a Youth Ambassadors Accreditation simulation and Award Ceremony, formally recognizing participants as Youth Ambassadors and honoring outstanding contributions. 

Speaking at the closing event, Dr. Mutinta Hambayi, WFP Country Director a.i. encouraged young people to think boldly, embrace collaboration and drive innovative solutions that help communities not only withstand shocks, but thrive.

At its core, LCC 2026 continues the conference's founding vision: developing young people as capable diplomats and leaders. By anchoring this year's theme in agriculture and green innovation, organizers are directly connecting youth leadership development to one of Ethiopia's most vital sectors one that touches food security, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience alike.

As delegates moved through this year's sessions, simulations, and ceremonies, LCC 2026 stood as both a training ground and a statement of intent: that Ethiopia's next generation of diplomats and innovators is already building toward a greener, more resilient future rooted in sustainable agriculture.