Developing nations without coastal areas should make their voices more prominent, according to Tokayev
In a significant move towards regional cooperation, Kazakhstan is taking the lead in addressing the challenges faced by Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, initiated by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan, saw President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasize the urgent need for action.
The conference highlighted the key challenges faced by LLDCs, including lack of direct access to the sea, resulting in obstacles to transport and communication, long distances from major markets, cumbersome transit procedures, high trade costs, limited connectivity, vulnerability to external shocks, and insufficient infrastructure. Climate-related issues such as water scarcity, glacier loss, desertification, and extreme weather also require coordinated regional action.
President Tokayev emphasized that these structural constraints add poverty and limit competitiveness. He underlined the need for innovative financial mechanisms to boost investments in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure to support sustainable development and economic resilience. Tokayev stressed that the LLDCs must be viewed as equal partners in global development, with their voices more strongly heard and cooperation deepened.
The conference highlighted the Avaza Programme of Action, which provides a roadmap emphasizing harnessing technology, innovation, and evidence-based scientific advancement, developing trade-related physical and digital infrastructure, promoting climate and economic resilience through integrated, fair, and inclusive strategies, and mobilizing adequate financial and technical resources via enhanced international cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
International support can address LLDC challenges by establishing infrastructure investment finance facilities tailored to LLDC needs, increasing multilateral development bank investments in infrastructure such as roads, railways, waterways, ports, fiber-optic cables, and satellite systems, creating regional agricultural research hubs and expert panels on freedom of transit, and ensuring national leadership in development strategies while maintaining consistent follow-up and monitoring aligned with global frameworks.
Kazakhstan, a landlocked country itself, is committed to the goals and principles of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries. It is transitioning from its current landlocked state to a future where land connectivity holds equal importance. Kazakhstan's long-term goal is to create a unified network of railway, road, aviation, and logistics centers.
In a recent development, Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with the United Nations to establish a Regional UN Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan. This center, to be headquartered in Almaty, will further strengthen Kazakhstan's role in addressing the challenges faced by LLDCs.
Kazakhstan's efforts to strengthen regional connectivity are not new. More than two decades ago, Kazakhstan hosted the First UN Conference on LLDCs. Today, Kazakhstan continues to lead the way, launching initiatives such as the AlemAI Center for Artificial Intelligence in Astana and the supercomputer.
President Tokayev called for balanced and inclusive climate action that addresses LLDCs' development needs and invited participation in the upcoming Regional Climate Summit and the new UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan, reinforcing regional cooperation and international support efforts. With 32 LLDCs representing over half a billion people, the need for such cooperation is more pressing than ever.
- The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, emphasizing the need for innovative financial mechanisms, discussed policy-and-legislation to boost investments in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure for sustainable development and economic resilience.
- Recognizing the importance of regional cooperation, Kazakhstan, signed an agreement with the United Nations to establish a Regional UN Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan, focusing on policy-and-legislation and addressing key challenges faced by general-news relevant countries such as infrastructure development and climate action.
