Addis Ababa, August 7, 2025 (FMC) – Participants at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) underscored the urgent need for intensified international cooperation to help landlocked nations overcome development challenges and promote sustainable growth.
Held in Ovaza, Turkmenistan, the conference entered its third day on August 6 with six sessions and forums addressing critical issues faced by LLDCs. The day began with a plenary session where ministers and officials from several countries highlighted persistent obstacles such as weak regional integration, limited access to global markets, and the pressing need to revitalize economic development and reconnect with the international community.
Participants reaffirmed the importance of targeted support and partnerships to empower landlocked developing countries in achieving sustainable development goals.
The Civil Society Forum was inaugurated during the day, followed by a press conference that further emphasized inclusive engagement in addressing LLDCs’ challenges.
In his opening remarks, Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedow highlighted national efforts to strengthen international cooperation in healthcare, climate action, and environmental protection. He drew attention to regional environmental issues, including the drying of the Aral Sea and declining water levels in the Caspian Sea, which pose serious risks to the region.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that geographic constraints should not determine the destiny of peoples. He called for an ambitious, decade-long development plan aimed at dismantling economic barriers and advancing global justice. Guterres reaffirmed that peace, development, and human dignity—the three pillars of the UN Charter—must guide all efforts, ensuring no one is left behind.
The conference agenda includes plenary sessions, five high-level roundtables, a civil society forum, and a youth forum, marking a once-in-a-decade opportunity to forge effective partnerships that unlock the potential of landlocked developing countries.