United Nations Marks the First International Day for Awareness of the Development Needs and Challenges Specific to Landlocked Developing Countries

New York, 6 August 2026 – The United Nations today commemorates the first International Day for Awareness of the Development Needs and Challenges Specific to Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), a new international observance dedicated to raising awareness of the unique obstacles faced by the world's 32 landlocked developing countries and mobilizing action to advance their sustainable development.

Home to more than 600 million people, LLDCs continue to confront structural challenges arising from their lack of direct access to the sea, including high transport and trade costs, limited connectivity, and increased vulnerability to external shocks. Despite significant progress in recent decades, these challenges continue to hamper economic transformation and sustainable development.

Recognizing these challenges, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 6 August as the International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries. The observance aims to raise global awareness, strengthen partnerships, and mobilize support for the sustainable development aspirations of LLDCs.

Under the theme “Driving Progress through partnerships: Turning Challenges into Opportunities”, this year's observance also builds on the momentum generated by the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), which highlighted the importance of enhanced connectivity, resilient infrastructure, digital inclusion, climate action and international cooperation in unlocking the full potential of LLDCs.

Marking the occasion, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Ms. Rabab Fatima, called in her video message for renewed global solidarity and action to unlock opportunities for LLDCs.

"Today, we mark the first anniversary of the International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries, a powerful recognition of the aspirations of 32 LLDCs that are home to more than 600 million people," said Ms. Fatima. "For LLDCs, geography has been destiny for far too long. Distance from global markets, high transport and trade costs, inadequate connectivity and growing exposure to external shocks continue to constrain their development. But geography must never dictate destiny. Landlocked must not mean opportunity-locked,” she added.

Ms. Fatima emphasized the importance of the Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the decade 2024-2034, adopted to accelerate progress toward sustainable development and address persistent structural barriers.

"The Awaza Programme of Action provides us with a bold and practical blueprint to change this reality by strengthening freedom of transit and regional connectivity, accelerating structural transformation, building climate resilience, and mobilizing investment, technology and partnerships at scale," she said.

The International Day serves not only as an opportunity to raise awareness but also as a call for stronger partnerships among LLDCs, transit countries, development partners, the private sector and international organizations.

Reaffirming the commitment of her office, Ms. Fatima pledged continued advocacy and partnership-building in support of LLDC priorities.

As the international community marks this inaugural observance, the United Nations calls on all stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and accelerate implementation of the Awaza Programme of Action to ensure a more connected, resilient and prosperous future for all landlocked developing countries.

Did You Know?

• There are 32 Landlocked Developing Countries worldwide: 16 in Africa, 10 in Asia, 4 in Europe and 2 in Latin America.
• The average distance from an LLDC to a seaport is approximately 1,370 kilometres.
• Sixteen LLDCs are also Least Developed Countries (LDCs), facing compounded development challenges.
• Kazakhstan is the world's most remote landlocked country, located approximately 3,750 kilometres from the nearest sea.
• As a result of inferior transport infrastructure and inadequate logistics systems, containerized cargo destined for landlocked developing countries takes an average of 35 days from arrival at the port of entry to post-clearance departure at final inland port, four-times as long as cargo destined for neighbouring coastal countries.
• Landlocked developing countries face a “logistics cost gap,” with export logistics 63 per cent higher than those of transit developing countries.

Additional information:

• USG Rabab Fatima Video message in the 6 official languages: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSfy4R4ymb1Y
• LLDCs Website: https://www.un.org/ohrlls/content/landlocked-developing-countries
• Observance Website: https://www.un.org/en/observances/landlocked-developing-countries-day  

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Media Contact:

May Yaacoub, Head of Advocacy and Outreach| UN-OHRLLS | yaacoubm@un.org