UNITED NATIONS, Jan 3 (IPS) – More than 570 million people live in 32 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) around the world across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. These countries face unique and complex development challenges. Lack of direct access to the sea, geographical isolation, limited infrastructure, and difficulties in integrating global trade and value chains impede sustainable development and development.
The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing vulnerability to external shocks, climate change and rising debt burdens have further exacerbated these challenges, undermining the progress achieved under the Vienna Program of Action, the LLDC’s last development roadmap.
But a pivotal moment for LLDC is approaching. Ahead of the Third United Nations Conference on LLDCs (LLDC3), scheduled to be held next year, the international community has adopted a new Program of Action (PoA) to guide LLDC development from 2025 to 2035.
A new decade of opportunity and development
The new PoA is a landmark achievement designed to address the structural challenges of LLDCs and accelerate their socio-economic integration into the global economy. This vision focuses on five priority areas that are critical to transforming the LLDC into a resilient and competitive economy.
Structural change and science, technology and innovation (STI)
Economic diversification is very important to LLDC. Our dependence on a narrow range of products makes us highly vulnerable to external shocks. The new PoA will prioritize value-added industries and leverage technology and innovation to help LLDCs integrate more effectively into global value chains and build more resilient economies.
Digital connectivity, which is pivotal for sustainable development, is also an important focus of PoA. In 2023, only 39% of the LLDC population used the internet, compared to a global average of 67%. PoA aims to increase support to LLDCs to leverage technology for sustainable growth, while creating a regional digital platform for peer learning and capacity building.
Trade, trade facilitation and regional integration
Trade drives economic growth, but LLDCs account for only 1.1% of global goods exports. High trade costs, on average 30% higher than coastal countries, significantly reduce competitiveness.
The new PoA highlights LLDC’s interest in establishing a dedicated work program at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address LLDC’s unique needs. It also recommends that a high-level expert panel be developed to review the application of existing international law on freedom of transit for LLDCs to ensure that LLDCs can participate in international trade on fairer terms.
Public transport, transport and connectivity
Transport infrastructure is a critical link between LLDCs and global markets. More than $500 billion would be needed to bridge the current gap (nearly 200,000 km of paved roads and over 46,000 km of rail).
To address this issue, PoA proposes an Infrastructure Investment Finance Facility (IIFF) that would enable LLDCs to mobilize resources for sustainable transport infrastructure, reducing trade costs and improving connectivity.
Strengthening adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change and disasters
LLDC faces significant vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Between 2012 and 2022, 447 such incidents affected 170 million people in the LLDC. This is twice the global average.
PoA emphasizes climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and improved access to climate finance. It also notes LLDC’s interest in developing a dedicated work program under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Lastly, but more importantly,
means of implementation
The success of any new program of action will depend on strong implementation levers, including adequate resources, technical support, and strong partnerships. PoA calls for increased development assistance and emphasizes the role of public-private partnerships in realizing ambitious goals.
Driving progress through partnerships – a call for global solidarity and action
The adoption of a new program of action is more than a promise. This is a new call to action. Global solidarity is essential to provide LLDCs with the financial, technical and capacity-building support they need. Through strengthened partnerships and joint efforts, LLDC can leverage its potential and contribute meaningfully to the global economy.
The LLDC3 conference, scheduled for 2025, will serve as an important platform to build on this momentum and strengthen international collaboration and multi-sector partnerships for PoA implementation.
Through political resolve, strengthened partnerships and practical action, LLDCs can emerge as dynamic contributors to the global economy, charting a path to sustainable prosperity over the next decade.
Mr. Labab FatimaUN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing Countries.
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