Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) face a unique set of challenges that hinder their economic growth and development. These countries, which are completely surrounded by land and have no direct access to the sea, are heavily dependent on transit nations for trade and commerce. This reliance on neighboring countries for access to ports and transportation routes results in higher trade costs and delays, making it difficult for LLDCs to compete in the global market.
To address these complex hurdles, the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) will take place in Awaza, Turkmenistan from 5-8 August 2025. This conference, also known as LLDC3, aims to explore solutions and strategies to support the development of LLDCs and promote their integration into the global economy.
May Yaacoub, the spokesperson for LLDC3, highlights the importance of this conference in addressing the challenges faced by landlocked developing countries. She states, “LLDC3 is a crucial platform for LLDCs to come together and discuss the issues that hinder their growth. It is a unique opportunity for these countries to collaborate and find solutions that will benefit their economies and their people.”
One of the major challenges faced by LLDCs is the high cost of trade. Due to their lack of direct access to the sea, these countries have to rely on transit nations to transport their goods to international markets. This results in additional costs such as transportation fees, customs duties, and other trade barriers, making it difficult for LLDCs to compete with their coastal counterparts.
Moreover, the reliance on transit nations also leads to delays in trade, which further hampers the economic growth of LLDCs. Delays in transportation can result in spoilage of perishable goods, leading to significant losses for LLDCs. It also affects the timely delivery of goods, which can result in lost opportunities and decreased competitiveness in the global market.
The LLDC3 conference aims to address these issues and find solutions to reduce trade costs and improve the efficiency of trade for LLDCs. One of the proposed solutions is the development of efficient transportation networks and infrastructure within LLDCs. This would not only reduce the cost of trade but also improve the speed and reliability of transportation, leading to increased competitiveness in the global market.
Another solution being explored is the establishment of transit corridors and agreements between LLDCs and their neighboring countries. These corridors would provide LLDCs with direct access to ports and transportation routes, reducing their reliance on transit nations and decreasing trade costs and delays.
The LLDC3 conference will also focus on promoting investment and trade diversification in LLDCs. By attracting foreign investment and diversifying their economies, LLDCs can reduce their dependence on a few key commodities and increase their resilience to external shocks. This would also help in creating job opportunities and promoting economic growth in these countries.
In addition to addressing trade-related challenges, LLDC3 will also focus on other issues such as landlocked countries’ vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change. These countries are often more susceptible to the effects of climate change, such as droughts and floods, which can have a devastating impact on their economies. The conference will explore ways to build resilience and mitigate the effects of climate change on LLDCs.
The LLDC3 conference is a significant step towards promoting the development and integration of landlocked developing countries into the global economy. It provides a platform for these countries to come together and find solutions to the challenges they face. By addressing trade costs, improving transportation infrastructure, and promoting investment and diversification, LLDCs can overcome their unique hurdles and achieve sustainable economic growth.
Yaacoub concludes, “LLDC3 is a crucial opportunity for LLDCs to showcase their potential and highlight the challenges they face. We are confident that this conference will result in concrete solutions and strategies that will benefit LLDCs and promote their development. We invite all stakeholders to join us in Awaza, Turkmenistan, in 2025 and be a part of this important journey towards a better future for LLDCs.”
