International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of LLDCs

Signing of Memoranda between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Malawi, Slovak Republic, and UNCTAD and UNDP. Related Sites and Documents:  Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries website . Watch the Press Conference: Signing of memoranda between Turkmenistan and foreign countries and UN agencies (LLDC3)! 00:12:58 Conferences

Daily press briefing of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) by OHRLLs spokesperson Ms. May Yaacoub. Good afternoon, everyone and thank you so much for joining us in the first LLDC3 daily briefing. The first in a decade, I should say. As you all know, the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) officially opened today in the beautiful city of Awaza, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders under the theme "Driving Progress through Partnerships". This landmark event aims to address the unique challenges faced by the world's 32 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), home to over 600 million people, and accelerate sustainable development through enhanced cooperation, trade facilitation, and infrastructure investment. In his opening remarks, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the urgent need for collective action. He said "despite representing 7 per cent ...

Opening press conference by United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in Awaza, Turkmenistan from 5-8 August 2025. Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, It is always a pleasure to be in Turkmenistan. And I thank President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan for their warm welcome. Your hosting of this important global gathering is a testament to the country's commitment to international cooperation and sustainable development. For the elements of the press of Turkmenistan, I have to say, as I mentioned this morning, that I've been coming to Turkmenistan for almost two decades. And in my visits to Turkmenistan, when I was High Commissioner for Refugees, I was extremely impressed by the fact that Turkmenistan has solved one of the most difficult problems that we have today in the world: the problem of statelessness, especially when an Empire or a Federation, or at the time also the Sov...

  The Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries opens an opportunity to explore meaningful partnerships to unlock the potential of landlocked developing countries. Opening Ceremony Plenary Session, General Debate Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), lacking direct sea access, face hurdles in trade, connectivity, and development. Without coastal ports, they rely on transit nations, causing higher trade costs and delays. Despite challenges, LLDCs host vibrant communities with untapped potential. The Third UN Conference on LLDCs offers a chance to explore solutions and forge partnerships, addressing challenges and unlocking their full potential for a more equitable and prosperous future. Related Sites and Documents: Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries website . Watch the third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries: Opening and Plenary 1  (LLDC3)! Conferences

Heads of delegations are arriving in Awaza, Turkmenistan, for the opening of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3). Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), lacking direct sea access, face hurdles in trade, connectivity, and development. Without coastal ports, they rely on transit nations, causing higher trade costs and delays. Despite challenges, LLDCs host vibrant communities with untapped potential. The Third UN Conference on LLDCs offers a chance to explore solutions and forge partnerships, addressing challenges and unlocking their full potential for a more equitable and prosperous future. Related Documents:  Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries website Watch the Arrival of Heads of Delegations for the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3)! Conferences

Flags of the United Nations and Turkmenistan being raised in Awaza on Sunday, ahead of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. In the city of Awaza, where the Caspian Sea meets the desert, UN and Turkmen flags were raised on Sunday ahead of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), as final preparations continue to welcome world leaders and delegates for a week of high-level talks on boosting development in some of the world’s most geographically disadvantaged nations. 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. There are 32 landlocked developing countries worldwide, home to over 500 million people. Many are also among the world’s least developed countries, facing structural challenges such as high transport costs, limited market access and vulnerability to climate shocks. Robus...

Lacking access to open seas, landlocked countries must rely on other nations for imports and exports. Pictured here, a woman constructs a house in Mongolia. In early August, Heads of State, ministers, investors and grassroots leaders will gather in Awaza on Turkmenistan’s Caspian coast for once-in-a-decade UN conference aiming to rewire the global system in support of 32 landlocked developing countries whose economies are often “locked out” of opportunity due to their lack of access to the sea. Backed by the new Awaza Programme of Action, the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries or LLDC3 will push for freer transit, smarter trade corridors, stronger economic resilience and fresh financing to lift development prospects for the 570 million people living in those countries. For landlocked nations, geography has long dictated destiny. Trade costs are up to 74 per cent higher than the global average and it can take twice as long to move goods across borders compared to co...