Key Impact Points:
- 32 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) agree on the Awaza Declaration, a 10-year roadmap for economic transformation, trade integration, infrastructure, climate resilience, and financing.
- Host country Turkmenistan launches new initiatives, including a Global Atlas for Sustainable Transport Connectivity and a Caspian Environmental Initiative.
- Implementation to be reviewed annually by the UN, with major milestones at COP30 in Brazil, UNCTAD, and a 2030 mid-term review.
The Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) concluded Friday in Awaza, Turkmenistan, with the adoption of the Awaza Declaration—a political commitment to accelerate sustainable development and resilience in the world’s 32 LLDCs.
Held under the theme Driving Progress Through Partnerships, the four-day summit gathered heads of state, senior UN officials, development partners, and private sector leaders to address high trade costs, inadequate infrastructure, and climate vulnerability.
Under-Secretary-General H.E. Ms. Rabab Fatima called the agreement “a blueprint for action, not just words,” adding, “With targeted investments in infrastructure, trade facilitation, and climate resilience, we can unlock the potential of LLDCs and ensure no one is left behind.”
Five Priority Areas
The roadmap aligns with the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024–2034, adopted by the UN General Assembly last year, focusing on:
- Structural economic transformation
- Trade and regional integration
- Transport and infrastructure
- Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction
- Mobilizing finance and partnerships
H.E. Ms. Fatima emphasized, “Let us make the promise of ‘land-linked’ not only a phrase but a new way of life… the UN stands ready to support this decade of delivery.”
Turkmenistan’s Role and New Initiatives
Turkmenistan announced several initiatives aligned with the Declaration’s goals, including the Global Atlas for Sustainable Transport Connectivity, the Global Hydrogen Energy Transition Programme, and the Caspian Environmental Initiative.
“The Awaza Declaration reflects our shared vision of partnership and progress,” said Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow, National Leader of the Turkmen People. “Together – transit countries, development partners, and the private sector – we can overcome geographical constraints and build sustainable prosperity for our peoples.”
Regional Examples and Opportunities
UN officials stressed that while global partnerships matter, meaningful cooperation often starts with neighbouring countries. UN Resident Coordinator Dmitry Shlapachenko cited EU trade integration as a model, noting, “Before Portugal and Spain joined the European Union, trade between them was minimal… once they became part of the EU, 40 per cent of all goods exported by Portugal went to Spain.”
In Uzbekistan—one of only two double landlocked countries—UN Resident Coordinator Sabine Machl said the focus will be “investing in the people of Uzbekistan,” with 60% of the population under 30.
For Lesotho, water is a key resource. UN Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukawashi said the country seeks investment to harness hydropower and renewable energy, both for domestic use and regional export.
What’s Next
Annual LLDC ministerial meetings will track progress, with key platforms ahead including COP30 in Brazil, the next UNCTAD meeting, and the 2027 Global Mountain Summit in Kyrgyzstan. A mid-term review is scheduled for 2030.
As H.E. Ms Fatima closed the forum, she reflected, “Awaza will be remembered as a defining moment… the beginning of a new era of ambitious partnerships and decisive action.”
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