Addis Ababa, August 7, 2025 (FMC) – At the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) held in Awaza, Turkmenistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan proposed the establishment of a Global Agreement on Transit Guarantees under the auspices of the United Nations. This initiative aims to secure fair and reliable access to seaports and communication networks for landlocked developing countries, reducing transport risks and costs.
President Mirziyoyev highlighted the challenges faced by landlocked nations, pointing out that many countries, including Uzbekistan, are situated nearly 3,000 kilometers away from the nearest seaports. These geographic realities contribute to high tariffs, limited capacity of transport corridors, and dependency on the customs and transit policies of neighboring states. According to experts, the Central Asian region loses up to 2% of its GDP annually due to high transport costs and transit instability.
To overcome these challenges, the Uzbek leader called for the development of new, reliable transit corridors and the establishment of a unified transport and logistics space. He stressed the importance of coordinated international efforts to build effective transport infrastructure and harmonize transit regulations. He specifically pointed to the Middle Corridor as a promising route whose success depends on unified transit policies and fair treatment among the countries involved.
President Mirziyoyev further urged the acceleration of infrastructure projects, including connecting the Middle Corridor with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway line currently under construction, which would open new avenues for regional integration and trade expansion.
Recognizing that implementing such large-scale infrastructure projects requires substantial investment, the president called on donor countries and international partners to provide financial support. He proposed the creation of a United Nations-backed mechanism to mobilize resources for these critical developments.
In his closing remarks, President Mirziyoyev encouraged experts and think tanks from landlocked developing countries to engage actively in developing concrete proposals to address shared challenges. He emphasized the need to deepen integration into global value chains, accelerate the adoption of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and expand cross-border investments.
The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held once every decade, provides a vital platform for member states to foster partnerships that unleash their potential and promote sustainable development.