Addis ababa: A series of events within the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) under the theme ‘Driving Progress Through Partnerships’ has been launched in Turkmenistan’s national resort.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the LLDC3 conference aims to promote global partnerships to accelerate inclusive and sustainable development in 32 landlocked developing countries worldwide, home to over 500 million people. Many of these countries are among the world’s least developed, facing structural challenges such as high transport costs, limited market access, and vulnerability to climate shocks, as stated in a UN statement.
The event highlights the international community’s support for Turkmenistan’s initiatives in sustainable energy, transportation, ecology, and environmental protection. These efforts are aimed at promoting universal prosperity and security, as emphasized by Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov.
UN High Representative Rabab Fatima expressed hope that the gathering would “become a historic milestone defined by solidarity, significant decisions, and global commitments to the advancement of landlocked developing countries.” She stated that the conference aims to mobilize global support for the comprehensive implementation of the Awaza Program of Action for 2024-2034, adopted by the UN General Assembly last December.
“This significant, forward-looking document provides a clear roadmap to accelerate structural reforms, strengthen regional connectivity, and enhance the stability of landlocked developing countries. Our mission is to link every landlocked developing country to global markets, eliminate the transport and trade obstacles that hinder their progress, and secure the climate finance and investments necessary to safeguard their future,” Fatima stated.
More than 20 heads of state and government and some 3,000 delegates from international organizations, civil society, youth, academia, and the private sector are expected to attend the conference. UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres will arrive from Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he participated in the opening of a new Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan.
A series of events has been planned on the sidelines of the conference, including a parliamentary forum. The event was organized by the Mejlis of Turkmenistan in collaboration with the Office of the High Representative of the United Nations for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, alongside the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
The primary goal of the forum is to facilitate the exchange of experiences among parliamentarians and to develop recommendations for legislative bodies in landlocked developing countries. These recommendations focus on incorporating the priorities of the Programme of Action into legislative agendas.