Backed by the new Awaza Programme of Action, the UN’s Third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) aims to enhance development prospects for the 570 million people residing in these nations. For a long time, the geography of landlocked countries has influenced their fate, with trade costs being up to 74 percent higher than the global average and transportation times taking twice as long compared to coastal countries, resulting in these nations accounting for only 1.2 percent of global trade.
A video showcases the expectations from LLDC3, held in Awaza, Turkmenistan, emphasizing the conference’s significance in addressing these challenges.
Rabab Fatima, UN High Representative for Landlocked Developing Countries, emphasizes that LLDC3 presents an opportunity to change this trajectory and focuses on the millions of people whose lives are affected by limited access to the internet, digital tools, and hindered market access due to poor infrastructure and funding constraints.
The four-day event from August 5 to 8 will feature plenary sessions, roundtables, and a Private Sector Forum aimed at partnerships and investments. It also includes specialized forums with various stakeholders, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to attend, underlining the urgency of the situation.
Landlocked countries like Botswana are also disproportionately affected by climate change, underscoring their vulnerability. The Awaza Programme of Action, spanning 2024 to 2034, addresses five priority areas, supported by flagship initiatives, including infrastructure investment, agricultural research, transit freedom, digital connectivity, and trade programs.
Turkmenistan’s role in hosting LLDC3 signifies its commitment and anticipation for a transformative conference that places landlocked countries at the forefront of global partnerships. The conference aims to unlock the potential of these nations, emphasizing their critical role in the shared future of humanity and the planet.
As the conference approaches, there is a hopeful sentiment that global solidarity can overcome the geographical barriers faced by landlocked developing countries. LLDC3 seeks to prove that global unity can lead to positive change, with 32 landlocked developing countries, including 16 that are also considered least developed, in attendance.
Source: https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2025/07/1165543
