"KFAED reassures commitment to aiding land-locked countries during the UN conference held in Avaza"
Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) Emphasizes Partnerships for Sustainable Development
The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) took place from August 5 to 8, 2025, in Awaza, Turkmenistan, under the theme “Driving Progress Through Partnerships.” This significant gathering brought together Heads of State, senior UN officials, development partners, and private sector leaders to address the unique challenges faced by the world's 32 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs).
The conference's agenda centered on innovative solutions to issues such as high trade costs and infrastructure gaps, climate vulnerabilities, enhancing transit connectivity, digital transformation, regional economic integration, and building resilience and sustainable development aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Eng. Al-Failakawi, representing the Kuwait Fund, emphasized the Fund's support for international cooperation. The Fund views its participation as an opportunity for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and emphasizing infrastructure, regional integration, and access to global markets. This approach reflects the Fund's belief that comprehensive development is a shared global responsibility, vital for helping landlocked nations overcome development challenges and build resilient economies.
The conference adopted the Awaza Political Declaration and endorsed the Awaza Programme of Action (2024–2034), a landmark framework aimed at accelerating sustainable development, structural economic transformation, and regional cooperation for LLDCs over the next decade. The programme focuses on increased investments by multilateral development banks, deepened South-South cooperation, integration of LLDC needs into global development agendas, and partnerships spanning governments, the private sector, and international organizations to overcome inherent barriers and enhance resilience.
The conference featured five interactive thematic roundtables that engaged various stakeholders in discussing cooperation, partnerships, and practical steps to unlock LLDC potential through economic integration, improved transit systems, and private sector involvement. Key participants included Heads of State from LLDCs, senior officials from the United Nations, representatives from multilateral development banks, regional organizations, the private sector, development partners, and civil society actors.
Discussions highlighted the critical need for increased investments by multilateral development banks, deepened South-South cooperation, integration of LLDC needs into global development agendas, and partnerships to overcome inherent barriers and enhance resilience. Standing in solidarity with the world's most disadvantaged nations is essential for creating a more equitable and stable world, according to the Fund.
In summary, the LLDC3 conference was a pivotal event charting a ten-year roadmap through the Awaza Programme of Action, fostering partnerships to transform the economic and development prospects of landlocked developing countries worldwide. The conference underscored the importance of international cooperation and shared responsibility in addressing the unique challenges faced by landlocked developing countries and paved the way for a more equitable and stable world.
- The conference's focus on partnerships between governments, the private sector, and international organizations, such as the Kuwait Fund's emphasis on infrastructure, regional integration, and access to global markets, highlights the importance of such collaborations in the finance and business sectors for the sustainable development of landlocked developing countries.
- The Awaza Programme of Action, endorsed during the LLDC3 conference, calls for increased investments by multilateral development banks, deepened South-South cooperation, and partnerships to overcome barriers faced by landlocked developing countries, underscoring the role of these collaborations in the industry and finance to ensure resilient economies and sustainable development.
