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 reviewing 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, the main theme of which was to meet the special needs of landlocked developing countries within a new global framework for cooperation in the field of transit transport 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, which are consistent with the decisions of all global UN conferences in the field of development.

 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 of LLDCs and addressing the challenges they face, 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 oversight of the successful implementation of the new Programme of Action.

On the 11th of April, 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 that 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 finding 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 neighbours 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 emphasised by the UN Resolution 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, exchanging experiences, finding innovative solutions, mobilising resources for infrastructure development and adaptation to climate change. Cooperation implies 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 unleash the potential of LLDCs.

It is expected that many stakeholders will contribute to the discussion and development of strategies to overcome the difficulties that LLDCs face in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Thus, the UN believes that the participation of civil society in the Third Conference is a key factor in conveying the position of grassroots actors and mobilising support for the adoption of a new generation of measures to facilitate the transformation of the economies of LLDCs in order to use their potential for ensuring prosperity and stability. In the implementation of the Programme of Action, the active participation of the private sector will be crucial, designed to identify ways to ensure access to markets 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 recognises 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 the younger generation in the «Avaza» 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 so that they can subsequently lead the processes for the implementation of decisions and become their driving force. The Forum aims to develop a dialogue to advance the Programme of Action. Based on its results, it is envisaged to adopt a document to promote sustainable development in landlocked developing countries in the coming decade.

The draft programme of the Third LLDC Conference published by the UN provides for pre-opening events. In particular, the opening of the Civil Society Forum, as well as the Youth and Parliamentary Forums is scheduled for the 4th of August. The Private Sector Forum and the Intergenerational Dialogue are scheduled for the 5th of August. Meetings of women leaders 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 organisational level. A special Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan signed on the 4th of July is aimed at this.

Continuing on the topic, it is worth noting the meeting of the Organising State Committee, held on the 13th of July, 2025, by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty 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 will include many events of political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian nature. The upcoming events will cover seven main areas, high-level forums, and related events that will be organised by the participating states of the Conference, international organisations and institutions, as well as the Turkmen side. 

Among them are 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 the 18th of July, 2025, a briefing was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, which emphasised 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 remind that on the 24th of July, 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 familiarised himself in detail with the results of the preparatory work carried out by the State Organising 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 familiarising himself with the modern equipment of the Turkmenbashy International Airport, with the conditions created here and the services provided. The completed complex of works on modernisation of the airport infrastructure allows to meet the participants of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in accordance with the original traditions of Turkmen hospitality.

As part of the preparation for the International Forum, work was carried out to improve the activities of the national migration service, consistently introduce innovative experience in 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 prepare special souvenirs for foreign guests.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people also inspected the condition of the runway surface of the International Airport of the city of Turkmenbashy. To ensure the safety of take-off and landing of aircraft during the reconstruction of the runway, an innovative approach and advanced developments in world practice were used.

As is known, in recent years, the picturesque shores of the Caspian Sea have regularly hosted international meetings, forums, concerts and festivals, 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 countries by presenting the achievements of friendly nations and will leave unforgettable memories for the Forum participants.

Speaking about the significance of the upcoming Conference, Hero-Arkadag notes the need for an integrated 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 Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The National Leader of the Turkmen people noted that at present, as part of the preparation for this major event of international importance, the 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 National Tourist Zone «Avaza», creation of appropriate conditions in hotels for providing foreign guests with high-quality services, including medical and trade. 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.