At a side event during the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Awaza, Turkmenistan, the European Union (EU) reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the unique financing challenges faced by LLDCs. The event, titled "Unlocking SDG Finance in LLDCs through Integrated National Financing Frameworks," highlighted the critical role of Integrated National … [Read more...]
EU Highlights South-South Cooperation to Boost LLDCs at UN Conference
During the South-South Ministerial Meeting at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), the European Union (EU) emphasized the transformative potential of South-South cooperation in overcoming barriers faced by LLDCs. In a session focused on leveraging such cooperation to enhance regional integration through trade facilitation, Mr. Eduards Stiprais, EU … [Read more...]
Central Asia: A Model for Overcoming the Challenges Faced by Landlocked Developing Countries
The development of cross-border infrastructure, transit corridors, and logistics networks is crucial for the sustainable development of any country. This is especially true for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). The main challenge for these nations is not merely the lack of sea access itself, but the complex set of external and internal barriers that prevent their full … [Read more...]
LLDC3 — From Disadvantage to Advantage: The Role of Land Transportation
Tariq Saeedi Historically, being landlocked has been a barrier to economic development, as it isolates countries from maritime trade routes critical for global commerce. According to the World Bank, landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) pay more than double their coastal neighbors in transport costs, which erodes their competitive edge (World Bank, 2019). However, … [Read more...]
Strengthening Transit Rights for Landlocked Countries: A Case for a New International Provision at LLDC3
Tariq Saeedi Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), numbering 32 across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, face unique challenges due to their lack of direct access to the sea. These nations rely on transit through neighboring countries to reach seaports, a critical factor for their integration into global trade networks. High trade costs, bureaucratic delays, and … [Read more...]
Paving the path to prosperity for Europe and Asia’s Landlocked Developing Countries
Rabab Fatima, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States Europe and Asia's Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) stand at a critical juncture in their development journey. They are confronted with intricate development challenges, emanating from … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan offers to host a Preparatory Meeting for the Third Conference of Landlocked Countries
Turkmenistan proposes to host a Preparatory Meeting for the Third Conference of Landlocked Developing Countries in the first half of 2023. Ashgabat is ready to provide the necessary support in holding this event. The statement came from the foreign minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov in his video address at the annual Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of … [Read more...]
The Awaza Summary Statement of the Ministerial Transport Conference of Landlocked Developing Countries, 16 August 2022, Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan
Ministers and high-level representatives from landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), met in person (and virtually) on 15 and 16 August 2022 in Awaza, in the city of Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, with participation of other relevant stakeholders including representatives from transit developing countries, development partners, United Nations, international, regional and … [Read more...]
International LLDCs Transport Conference wrapped up in Turkmenistan – several agreements inked – Awaza Statement adopted
The Ministerial Transport Conference of Landlocked Developing Countries under UN auspices concluded Tuesday in the tourist zone Avaza. The second day of the forum included four sessions and several side events. The third session entitled “Promotion of corridors, regional connectivity and integrated multimodal transport systems” underlined that the transport corridors are … [Read more...]
Ashgabat Process: Sustainable Transport is a key for Landlocked Developing Countries to recover in post-pandemic world
32 landlocked developing countries are the home for over half a billion people. Their growth rates may vary, but the absence of direct access to the sea hinders them from keeping pace with global development agenda. The ideas how to turn the landlocked countries into land-linked areas with wide connectivity opportunities will be generated during a two-day International … [Read more...]