Urging global leaders to rethink the development of nations without coastline, the UN Chief declared: “We recommend today to reaffirm a fundamental truth: Geography should never define fate.“
According to the UN Development Program, of the 32 developing countries without coastline (LLDC) worldwide, 16 are in Africa, 10 in Asia, four in Europe and two in Latin America. Together, they house more than 500 million people.
Commercial barriers, debt anguish and deep inequality
Mr. Guterres described the “discouraging challenges” that LLDCs continue to face: barriers pronounced for trade, high transport costs and limited access to global markets. He warned that the burden of debt of these countries has reached “dangerous and unsustainable levels.”
Although LLDCs represent seven percent of the world’s population, they represent just over one percent of global economic production and trade. “This is a marked example of deep inequalities that perpetuate marginalization,” said the secretary general, attributing this to “an unfair global economic and financial architecture that does not reflect the realities of the interconnected world today,” as well as the legacy of colonialism.
Four priorities for progress
UN Secretary General, Guterres asks for action:
- Economic diversification and digital transformation:
- Invest in value -added industries, local innovation and inclusive growth
- Pass the digital division to unlock AI, electronic commerce and smart logistics
- Traffic, transit and regional connectivity:
- Update the infrastructure and simplify cross -border procedures
- Integrate LLDC in global value chains and reform trade systems
- Climate action and resistance:
- Double adaptation finance and build climate resistant infrastructure
- Support LLDC in green transitions with technology and associations
- Financing and associations:
- Reform global financial systems to guarantee fair and accessible financing
- Concessional financing scale and unlocks climate investment at speed
Decade of Ambition: The Awaza Program of Action
The task before the conference, known as LLDC3 and is executed in Awaza until Friday, is to find solutions to these challenges.
“LLDC3 is about launching a new decade of ambition: through the Awaza Action Program and his deliverables – And completely unlocking the development potential of developing countries without coastline, ”said Guterres.
Adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2024, that action plan represents a renewed and strengthened global commitment to support LLDC development aspirations.
A success for all
“The success of developing countries without coastline is essential for the success of the 2030 Agenda,Mr. Guterres stressed.
“We have the knowledge, and we have the tools … Together, we can transform the geography of a barrier to a bridge, connecting not only the markets, but the peoples and cultures that give meaning to development.”
In statements to journalists later, Mr. Guterres emphasized that the conference reflects a new era of cooperation that takes shape in Central Asia, a mutual trust, shared priorities and the growing regional solidarity.
“At a time when multilateral cooperation is being tested, this spirit of association is more essential than ever,” he said.
Regional challenges, global solidarity
The session opened with a welcome from President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who highlighted national initiatives to strengthen international cooperation in medical care, climate action and environmental protection.
He also caught the attention to the regional challenges, such as the drying of the Aral Sea and the water levels in the Caspian Sea, which is the largest closed water body in the world and the stage for the third UN conference LLDC.
In his comments, the president of the UN General Assembly, Philémon Yang, said the “deadline that is quickly approaching for the 2030 Agenda” and requested a decisive action and a renewed commitment to multilateralism and fundamental values.
He stressed that the three pillars of the UN letter (peace, development and human dignity) must remain in the heart of all efforts, and that actions should not reflect the promise of not leaving anyone behind.
Observing the vulnerability of LLDC to climate change and structural challenges, Yang said that these countries “should never lack access to opportunities, prosperity or hope”, and requested international solidarity, infrastructure investment and the practical realization of freedom of traffic.
He also announced that the General Assembly had proclaimed on August 6 as the International Day of Consciousness in developing countries without coastline, which will be observed annually.
“The General Assembly will continue to serve as a global platform in support of these countries,” he said, emphasizing the importance of monitoring Awaza’s action program and preparing for its high -level review in 2029.
Convert vulnerability into the opportunity
Also addressing the opening session, Lok Bahadur Thapa, president of the UN Economic and Social Council, said that LLDC3 is “a crucial moment” for the 32 nations without a coastline who strive to overcome structural barriers for development.
From Nepal, which is without coastline and less developed, emphasized that the Awaza’s action program should serve as a “daring, ambitious, processable and future -oriented plans plan” to convert vulnerability into an opportunity for more than 570 million people.
Mr. Thapa stressed the urgency of addressing the “growing complexity, scale and urgency” of the challenges faced by the LLDC, including debt anguish, climate impacts and infrastructure gaps. Mr. Thapa urged the creation of an infrastructure investment installation for LLDC, along with climbing finances, greater resources of concession and accelerated technology transfer.
He also stressed the importance of regional cooperation and sustainable transport, praised Turkmenistan’s leadership and reaffirmed Ecosoc’s commitment to advance in Awaza’s action program, committing to integrate LLDC priorities, such as food security, youth empowerment and climate resilience in all discussions and Ecosoc processes.
LLDC3 continues tomorrow, Wednesday, August 6, with round tables and events in a variety of topics, including connectivity and transport, south-south cooperation, youth commitment and more. Find all our coverage here.