And more and more, climate change is aggravating the problem: damaging roads, interrupting supply chains and threatening the already fragile infrastructure with floods, droughts and extreme climate.
But as global discussions intensify, a UN conference in Turkmenistan aims to turn the script: help transform LLDC from coast to wool through a smarter touch of intelligent land more intelligent resilient infrastructure, simplified logistics and stronger regional units.
As the Second Day of the third UN conference on developing countries without coastline (LLDC3) began on Wednesday, the atmosphere at the Awaza congress center changed.
With presidents and heads of government that left after Tuesday’s opening ceremony, security measures were relaxed, which facilitates delegates to move around the place.
But the rhythm of the conference did not slow down. The meeting rooms remained full, the exhibition is full of activity and the participants sailed with long and white corridors to attend consecutive events. A great team of multilingual young volunteers helped guide the attendees through the extensive complex, maintaining high energy and soft logistics.
Commercial problems and the ‘geography gap’
The discussions of the day focused on overcoming the disadvantages of geography. The main the main thematic table was dedicated to trade, which is a pressing problem for the 32 LLDC of the world, which lack direct access to sea ports.
As a result, they must trust longer and complex routes to reach international markets, increase costs and reduce competitiveness.
And geography is not the only obstacle. Many LLDC fight with obsolete infrastructure and the limited use of digital tools that could accelerate slow transport times.
These obstacles not only delay trade, but stop economic growth and expand the gap between LLDC and other developing nations.
On Tuesday, UN Secretary General, António Guterres, told journalists in Awaza that “developing countries without coastline need intelligent logistics, simplified systems and stronger associations with transit countries,” and added: “We must reduce bureaucracy, digitize border operations and modernize transport networks to reduce delays and costs.”
The numbers tell the story
The impact of geography is clearly shown in the numbers.
Developing countries without coastline represent more than seven percent of the world’s population, but in 2024 they represented only 1.2 percent of world merchandise trade. It is a marked reminder of how physical barriers can translate into economic.
Awaza’s action program for 2024–2034, adopted by the UN General Assembly last year, aims to change that reality. But converting ambition into results will require bold and coordinated efforts through borders and sectors.
A phrase that resonates through the runners of the Awaza Congress Center is “from Litoral to Lana”, a meeting call to transform the geographical disadvantage into one occasion.
The mentality matters
Umberto de Pretto, general secretary of the International Union of Transportation by VÃa (IRU), said UN news: “There is evidence that if you put the correct policies in your place … you can be reticulated … I think the greatest impediment to countries without coastline is mentality.”
IRU, founded in 1947, supports sustainable mobility and logistics worldwide and represents more than 3.5 million transport operators in more than 100 countries.
As Mr. De Pretto points out, only 11 of the 32 countries in coastline developing in the world have joined the system backed by UNU, which allows goods to move from the origin to the destination in compartments sealed under a mutually recognized customs procedure.
“The largest user of the system we executed, the UN Convention called IRP, is Uzbekistan, one of the only two countries without coastline.
Digital tools for softer transit
New technologies offer additional ways to simplify the movement of the load.
“How do you go from paper to the movement information digitally to government authorities? We need things like the ‘Individual Window’, where it has a single admission point for electronic information so that the Government can analyze that information and make decisions before,” said Ian Saunders, general secretary of the World Customs Organization.
He shared examples of successful initiatives, such as the monitoring of the load in Eastern and Western Africa and the use of EIR electronic cards, sometimes called ‘merchandise passport’, by private companies in Central Asia. These unique documents guarantee the payment of suspended tariffs and taxes while the goods are in transit.
Climate risks and smarter infrastructure
Another example came from Dmitry Maryasin, deputy executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
Talk with UN newsHe pointed out the 2023 adoption of a roadmap for the digitalization of the trans-capital corridor. Using UN tools and harmonized regulations, the corridor takes advantage of land and marine transport, including rail and shipping through the Caspian Sea, to move goods between Asia and Europe.
Climate change also makes load transport more difficult. “We are seeing floods of recurring roads, vulnerability to landslides, mud flows, avalanches and droughts, all this is now a reality in Central Asia,” said Maryasin.
In response, UNECE has developed a stress test tool for transport infrastructure that takes into account climatic risks. An online platform based on satellite data has also been launched, allowing users to overlap trade routes and climatic risks on a map to support the smarter investment decisions.
“Countries are already using it,” said Maryasin. Efforts are being made to integrate this platform with a similar one developed by the UN Escap office, which covers the south and southeast of Asia.
One day for LLDCS
Wednesday also marked the first observance of the International Day for the Dissemination of Information on the Special Needs of Developing Countries without Coast. While each LLDC faces unique development challenges, they also share common priorities. And with almost 600 million people living in these countries, finding shared solutions is essential.
Awaza’s message is clear: isolation is not destiny. With the correct mentality, effective policies and significant associations, countries without coastline can become linked and prosper.
LLDC3 continues tomorrow, Thursday, August 7, with round tables and events in a variety of themes, as well as a women’s forum. Find all our coverage here.