Held beneath the theme Driving Progress Via Partnerships, the four-day discussion board referred to as LLDC3, introduced collectively Heads of State, senior UN officers, growth companions, and personal sector leaders to deal with persistent challenges confronted by LLDCs, together with excessive commerce prices, insufficient infrastructure, and vulnerability to local weather change.
Anchored by the Awaza Programme of Motion for 2024–2034, which was adopted by the UN Basic Meeting final yr, the brand new ‘Awaza Declaration’ outlines a unified technique throughout 5 precedence areas:
- Structural financial transformation;
- Commerce and regional integration;
- Transport and infrastructure;
- Local weather change adaptation and catastrophe threat discount; and
- Mobilizing finance and partnerships.
“The Awaza Declaration marks a turning level. It’s a blueprint for motion, not simply phrases,” stated Underneath Secretary-Basic Rabab Fatima.
“With focused investments in infrastructure, commerce facilitation, and local weather resilience, we will unlock the potential of LLDCs and guarantee nobody is left behind.”
Ms. Fatima, who additionally serves because the UN Excessive Consultant for the Least Developed International locations, Landlocked Growing International locations, and Small Island Growing States (UN-OHRLLS), stated the convention could be remembered as a defining second within the LLDC journey, ushering in a brand new period of daring partnerships and decisive motion.
“It’s this spirit…of solidarity, partnership, and shared function that can carry us ahead. A future the place we’re not divided by geography, however related by means of concepts, commerce and innovation,” she stated.
“Allow us to make the promise of ‘land-linked’ not solely a phrase however a brand new lifestyle…the UN stands able to assist this decade of supply,” she added.
A name for funding and inclusion
The Declaration requires elevated investments from multilateral growth banks, stronger South-South cooperation, and broader inclusion of LLDC pursuits in international commerce and local weather agendas.
It additionally emphasizes the significance of monitoring implementation and guaranteeing that LLDCs themselves lead the method, coordinated by UN-OHRLLS.
Turkmenistan’s initiatives
As host nation, Turkmenistan offered a number of initiatives aligned with the Convention’s targets, together with the World Atlas for Sustainable Transport Connectivity, the World Hydrogen Power Transition Programme, and the Caspian Environmental Initiative.
“The Awaza Declaration displays our shared imaginative and prescient of partnership and progress,” stated Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow, Nationwide Chief of the Turkmen Individuals and Chairman of the Individuals’s Council of Turkmenistan.
“Collectively – transit nations, growth companions, and the non-public sector – we will overcome geographical constraints and construct sustainable prosperity for our peoples.”
What’s subsequent?
The Awaza Declaration represents a significant step ahead for LLDCs and a renewed image of worldwide solidarity – turning a geographical drawback right into a shared benefit.
Implementation might be tracked by the UN Basic Meeting by means of annual LLDC ministerial conferences.
Key upcoming platforms to advance LLDC priorities embody:
- The 2025 UN local weather convention in Brazil (COP30);
- The subsequent assembly of the UN Convention on Commerce and Growth (UNCTAD); and
- The 2027 World Mountain Summit in Kyrgyzstan.
A mid-term evaluate of the Awaza Programme of Motion is scheduled for 2030.
UN Photograph/Eskinder Debebe
Rabab Fatima (on display), Underneath Secretary-Basic and Excessive Consultant for the Least Developed International locations, Landlocked Growing International locations and Small Island Growing States, holds a wrap-up press convention on the Third UN Convention on the Landlocked Growing International locations (LLDC3).
Cooperation begins with neighbours
At a wrap-up press briefing, Aksoltan Ataeva, Everlasting Consultant of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, stated that for his nation, “internet hosting LLDC3 isn’t solely a big political occasion, nevertheless it additionally displays Turkmenistan’s international coverage philosophy: to be a bridge, not a barrier.”
UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Dmitry Shlapachenko advised UN Information the Convention was particularly essential for the area, bringing collectively a number of Central Asian heads of state.
World partnerships matter – however actual cooperation begins with neighbours.
Mr. Shlapachenko shared an instance cited by the UN Secretary-Basic in conferences with Central Asian leaders:
“Earlier than Portugal and Spain joined the European Union, commerce between them was minimal. However as soon as they grew to become a part of the EU, 40 per cent of all items exported by Portugal went to Spain. This actually improved life for [the people of both countries]. I believe it’s crucial to maintain this in thoughts after we discuss Central Asia.”
“There’s nonetheless so much to be finished right here, however we’re shifting in the suitable path,” he added.
UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Sabine Machl famous that UN nation groups in Central Asia repeatedly meet to coordinate their work. Uzbekistan, considered one of solely two double landlocked nations on the earth (alongside Liechtenstein), faces distinctive challenges – but additionally alternatives.
“Because the United Nations nation workforce in Uzbekistan, for the following 5 years, what we wish to do is to harness the demographic dividend by investing within the individuals of Uzbekistan,” she stated.
“That’s our one strategic precedence. As a result of Uzbekistan has a really younger inhabitants – 60 per cent of the inhabitants is beneath 30 years outdated.”
In Lesotho, a landlocked African nation, water is a significant alternative. UN Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukawashi advised UN Information that the nation needs to share its ample water and different assets – however wants funding.
“Lesotho has obtained water. It’s considered one of its largest pure property; numerous water that flows from Lesotho and saves lives in neighboring nations like Namibia, Botswana, and so forth,” she stated.
“What they’re attempting to do is to search for funding, to develop the infrastructure in order that they’ll produce renewable vitality, hydropower.”
She added that Lesotho might use its wind and photo voltaic assets not only for its personal industrial growth, however to export right into a area dealing with challenges in each water and vitality.
These and different concepts had been mentioned on the sidelines of the Convention and can proceed to be superior at future boards.
Farewell to Awaza
On Friday, Awaza – nesteled on the shores of the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland physique of water – bid farewell to its visitors with a ceremonial reducing of the UN and Turkmenistan flags, which had been raised initially of the week.
“Awaza might be remembered as a defining second for the journey of LLDCs – not just for the nice success of the Convention itself, however as the start of a brand new period of bold partnerships and decisive motion,” stated Ms. Fatima, wrapping up the discussion board.
The Third UN Convention on Least Developed International locations opened in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Tuesday, 5 August.
UN Information was on the bottom in Awaza, bringing you all of the highlights and discussions. Discover all our protection right here.
