In a few days, Turkmenistan will host the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), an event of global significance associated with changes in the lives of over 570 million people living in 32 countries located on different continents. The solution to their special problems associated with overcoming geographical isolation, expanding access to investment, world trade markets and integration into the world economy is closely linked to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals common to all mankind. The UN Conferences on LLDCs, held once a decade, are important platforms for analyzing the progress achieved in the development of these countries and defining an action program for the next decade.
The first UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan in August 2003, with the main theme of addressing the special needs of landlocked developing countries within a new global framework for transit cooperation between LLDCs and transit developing countries. The resulting Almaty Programme of Action highlighted the problems of landlockedness and other challenges faced by LLDCs at the international level and set targets for improving their macroeconomic situation, consistent with the decisions of all UN global development conferences.
A comprehensive assessment of the implementation of the 10-year Almaty Programme of Action was given at the Second UN Conference on LLDCs, which was held in Vienna, Austria, in November 2014. The Forum reaffirmed the global commitment to addressing the special development needs and challenges of LLDCs and helped mobilize the international community to provide support and take action in the interests of LLDCs.
At the same time, an updated framework program for partnership for development for the next decade was adopted – the Vienna Programme of Action for 2014–2024, aimed at expanding the opportunities for LLDCs to participate in international trade on fair and competitive terms. The document included support from the international community in infrastructure development, simplification of transit and trade procedures, reduction of transit costs, as well as more effective supervision of the successful implementation of the new Programme of Action.
On April 11, 2025, at the 63rd plenary meeting of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Resolution "Additional information on the modalities of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries" was unanimously adopted, providing for its holding in August of this year in the Avaza National Tourist Zone. This decision became another confirmation of the strategic partnership between the UN and Turkmenistan, recognition of its international authority and active participation in world affairs.
For our country, which is celebrating this year the 30th anniversary of its legal status of permanent neutrality, three times recognized by the UN, the initiative to host this large-scale representative Forum means the consistent implementation of the constructive policy, conducted under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, aimed at supporting international cooperation for sustainable development, creating a fair and prosperous future for all.
In the current context of increasing geopolitical tensions, which have led to the fragmentation of the global economy, trade and investment, and changes in the configuration of the global transport and transit system, the Third UN Conference on LLDCs is called upon to respond to new challenges for these countries, to direct the efforts of the international community to find ways for their development and integration into the global economy. The main theme of the upcoming Forum is "Ensuring Progress through Partnerships". Since landlocked developing countries are more dependent on their neighbors for trade, travel and investment, cooperation is vital for them. The basis of interaction is trust, the importance of which in ensuring peace and development is emphasized by the UN Resolution on declaring 2025, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, the "International Year of Peace and Trust".
In addition, the Third UN Conference on LLDCs will be aimed at strengthening partnerships, sharing experiences, finding innovative solutions, mobilizing resources for infrastructure development and adaptation to climate change. Cooperation involves constructive interaction not only between LLDCs, transit countries and international structures, but also with various social forces. As noted on the UN website, the Conference will actively interact with various groups, each of which presents its own points of view and innovative solutions designed to help unlock the potential of LLDCs.
Many stakeholders are expected to contribute to the discussion and development of strategies to overcome the challenges faced by LLDCs in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. For example, the UN considers civil society participation in the Third Conference to be key to raising the voice of grassroots actors and mobilizing support for a new generation of measures to help transform the economies of LLDCs to harness their potential for prosperity and stability. The active participation of the private sector will be critical in implementing the Programme of Action to identify ways to ensure market access for landlocked countries.
As highlighted in the UN information, LLDCs represent a growing market of 570 million people, projected to exceed 1 billion by 2060, valued today at US$836 billion. Entrepreneurial activity in these countries can provide new impetus and conditions for creating economic opportunities tailored to local needs and circumstances. Through investment and participation in international trade activities of multinational enterprises, LLDCs can integrate into global and regional value chains.
The UN recognizes the importance of taking into account the views, ideas and proposals of young people in the decision-making process at the international level. In this context, the involvement of representatives of the younger generation in the Awaza LLDC Conference will serve as a source of creative energy and enthusiasm, contributing to the development of a sense of ownership of positive changes in their countries and regions, as well as responsibility for implementing these changes.
The Conference will include a Parliamentary Forum with the participation of LLDC leaders and speakers of parliaments to lead and drive the implementation processes. The Forum aims to develop a dialogue to advance the Programme of Action. It is expected to result in a document to promote sustainable development in landlocked developing countries in the coming decade.
The draft programme for the Third LLDC Conference published by the UN includes pre-opening events. In particular, the opening of the Civil Society Forum, as well as the Youth and Parliamentary Forums, is scheduled for August 4. The Private Sector Forum and the Intergenerational Dialogue are scheduled for August 5. Women leaders' meetings and other parallel events will also be held on the sidelines of the Conference.
Based on the signed Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations on the procedure for organizing the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, in coordination with the relevant UN structures, large-scale and comprehensive work has been carried out to prepare for holding the Conference at a high organizational level. A special Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan signed on July 4 is aimed at this.
Continuing on the topic, it is worth noting the meeting of the Organizing State Committee, held on July 13, 2025 by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, with the participation of members of the Government, heads of ministries and departments. It considered various aspects of the preparation and holding of this major international event, assessed the work done and specified the upcoming tasks.
As Hero-Arkadag noted, the Conference is scheduled to hold many events of political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian nature. The upcoming events will cover seven main areas, high-level forums, accompanying events that will be organized by the participating states of the Conference, international organizations and institutions, as well as the Turkmen side.
These include events dedicated to land transport and communications, the International Year of Peace and Trust, youth policy, sustainable energy, circular economy; thematic exhibitions; national days of the Central Asian states, as well as a gala concert of cultural figures and artists.
It should also be noted that on July 18, 2025, a briefing was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, at which it was emphasized that this large-scale event is intended to become an effective platform for promoting international cooperation for sustainable development.
Continuing with the topic of preparation for the upcoming Forum, we would like to remind you that on July 24, as part of a working visit to the Balkan velayat, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov got acquainted in detail with the results of the preparatory work carried out by the State Organizing Committee for holding the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries at a high level. Hero-Arkadag began assessing the readiness of the Avaza National Tourist Zone to receive numerous foreign delegations and guests of the Conference by familiarizing himself with the modern equipment of the Turkmenbashi International Airport, with the conditions created here and the services provided. The complex of works carried out to modernize the airport infrastructure allows us to meet the participants of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in accordance with the original traditions of Turkmen hospitality.
In preparation for the International Forum, work was carried out to improve the activities of the national migration service, consistently introducing innovative experience into its work to provide modern migration services. Along with this, specific measures are being taken to provide high-quality services in retail outlets located on the territory of the airport, and to prepare special souvenirs for foreign guests.
The National Leader of the Turkmen people also inspected the condition of the runway surfaces of the International Airport of the city of Turkmenbashi. To ensure the safety of takeoff and landing of aircraft, an innovative approach and advanced developments in world practice were used during the reconstruction of the runway.
As is known, in recent years, international meetings, forums, concerts and festivals have been regularly held on the picturesque shores of the Caspian Sea, which play a huge role in bringing political-diplomatic, economic and cultural-humanitarian relations between the peoples of the world to a new level. According to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, the upcoming celebrations will significantly strengthen the cultural bridges between the countries by presenting the achievements of friendly nations and will leave unforgettable memories for the participants of the Forum.
Speaking about the importance of the upcoming Conference, Hero-Arkadag notes the need for a comprehensive approach at all stages of the preparatory work. This topic became one of the main ones at the working meeting held on the same day by the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The National Leader of the Turkmen people stated that at present, in the framework of preparation for this major event of international importance, ministries and industry departments of the country are carrying out relevant work. The meeting touched upon the issues of improvement of the territory of the Avaza National Tourist Zone, creation of appropriate conditions in hotels for the provision of high-quality services to foreign guests, including medical and trade services. Along with this, special attention was paid to the effective use of Internet resources for wide coverage of the upcoming Conference and the events planned within its framework.
In general, it is a great honor for our country to host representatives of dozens of states and peoples in our sovereign Fatherland. The delegation of the right to host the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries to Turkmenistan is the result of the consistent implementation of the peace-loving, neutral, constructive foreign policy laid down by the Hero Arkadag in the era of the Renaissance of the new era of a powerful state under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
