Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr. philémon yang
23rd Ministerial Meeting on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)
UN Headquarters, Conference Room 2, 3:00 PM, September 26 2024
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my honor to address this Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked Developing Countries.
With several context-specific challenges impeding their sustainable development, Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) require additional and targeted socio-economic support.
Consider one example: the average distance of a Landlocked Developing Country to the nearest seaport is 1,370 kilometers.
Consequently, they face transport costs exceeding double those of their coastal counterparts. Transport times are similarly prolonged.
This is just one of the many challenges you are all too familiar with.
To overcome these hurdles, targeted support towards these nations is essential.
We must unlock trade routes and supply chains, improve access to basic services, stimulate tourism and travel, and ensure job creation, to name a few critical areas.
At present, the level of development in these countries is estimated to be about 20 percent lower than it would be if they were not landlocked.
Hence, what we are witnessing is a geographic constraint that has stifled growth and sustainable development – realities that have only been exacerbated in recent times as a result of multiple crises.
Excellencies,
Over the last two decades, we have adopted two Programs of Action, and we have achieved some successes including GDP growth, trade expansion, infrastructure, and social development.
However, this modest progress is still insufficient to bridge the gap between Landlocked Developing Countries and the global average, especially with reference to poverty rates, social protection, and internet usage, among other critical areas.
Moreover, almost one-third of Landlocked Developing Countries are either at high risk of, or already in, debt distress, severely constraining their ability to harness their full potential.
Excellencies,
We must fully seize the opportunity presented by the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries to be held this December, to help accelerate progress for LLDCs on the 2030 Agenda, and to prevent them from falling further behind.
I am pleased that, Member States have agreed to an ambitious new Program of Action, with five key priorities clearly outlined.
Taken together, these priorities have the potential to drive transformative economic change, reduce vulnerabilities, and enable Landlocked Developing Countries to overcome their unique geographical challenges, by fostering greater integration into global markets, building resilience to climate change, and creating sustainable growth opportunities across sectors.
However, the success of the new Program of Action cannot be the sole responsibility of Landlocked Developing Countries.
It is a collective responsibility of the international community—especially transit countries and development partners.
Landlocked Developing Countries need reliable partners, and their future depends on strong global partnerships.
As we head towards Gaborone, we must be guided by the theme of the Conference: “Driving progress through partnerships.”
I urge all Member States to actively participate in Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries at the highest possible level.
Thank you.
Media Contacts:
Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: 1 646-342-5873, email: birchs@un.org
Mariam Shaikh, Dr. Advisor, Media and Communications, Office of the President of the General Assembly, Tel: 1 9173614990, email: mariam.shaikh@un.org
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