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UN conference on landlocked developing countries opens in Turkmenistan
This is the third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, which began on August 5 and will continue for four days.
The United Nations has launched a four-day international conference in Awaza, Turkmenistan, focusing on the challenges faced by Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).
In his opening remarks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that these countries, including Afghanistan, which collectively represent 7% of the world’s population, are disproportionately impacted by climate change and an unequal global economic system.
Several participants at the conference underlined the importance of regional integration and the acceleration of development projects. Among them was Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who expressed support for the rapid implementation of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project.
This is the third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, which began on August 5 and will continue for four days.
The event brings together leaders and experts from 32 nations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America that are geographically cut off from direct access to seaports.
“These 32 landlocked developing countries face a unique set of challenges—severe trade barriers, high transportation costs, and limited access to global markets,” said Guterres.
“Although these nations account for 7% of the global population, they command just over 1% of international trade and economic activity. Geography too often limits their development and entrenches inequality.”
Afghanistan is one of the 32 landlocked countries and, as highlighted at the event, initiatives such as railway and transport corridors are vital for its economic connectivity.
President Mirziyoyev reiterated Uzbekistan’s commitment to regional cooperation, particularly through infrastructure development.
“We must coordinate efforts to expedite the development of international transport corridors,” he said. “Uzbekistan supports the accelerated construction and implementation of the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan railway. This corridor’s connection to the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, which is currently under construction, could create a new economic and trade space with sustainable transport infrastructure across the region.”
Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has also emphasized its goal of transforming the country into a regional transit hub. Officials in Kabul have stated that expanding the national railway network is a top priority and that Afghanistan is ready to collaborate with neighboring countries on major connectivity projects.
The United Nations said the conference aims to explore meaningful partnerships to unlock the full potential of landlocked developing countries.
According to UN data, these countries face, on average, 30% higher trade costs than coastal nations.
Pakistan on Friday summoned Afghan Deputy Head of Mission in Islamabad to convey “strong demarche” over a deadly attack on a military camp in North Waziristan District that killed four Pakistani soldiers.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack was carried out by a faction of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The statement said that Pakistan conveyed “grave concern over the continued support and facilitation” provided by the Islamic Emirate to TTP.
Pakistan has demanded “a full investigation and decisive action against the perpetrators and facilitators of the terrorist attacks launched against Pakistan from Afghan soil.”
It urged the Islamic Emirate “to take immediate, concrete and verifiable measures against all terror groups operating from its territory, including their leadership, and deny the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan.
According to the statement, the Islamic Emirate has been “categorically informed that Pakistan reserves the right to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens, and will take all necessary measures to respond to terrorism originating from Afghan soil.”
Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks in the country are originated from Afghan soil, a charge the Islamic Emirate denies.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has underscored Afghanistan’s continued importance in regional cooperation, saying the country remains one of the key areas of interaction among regional partners.
Addressing the first summit of the “Central Asia Plus Japan” dialogue, Mirziyoyev said participating countries share a common aspiration to see Afghanistan become peaceful, stable, and oriented toward meaningful development.
The Uzbek president praised Japan’s longstanding and consistent support for Afghanistan, noting that Tokyo has for many years been among the leading donors and partners assisting the Afghan people.
He expressed confidence that coordinated efforts and joint contributions by regional countries and Japan would help improve living standards in Afghanistan, advance socio-economic and infrastructure development, and facilitate the country’s active involvement in regional economic projects.
The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan announced on Friday that the country has allocated $19.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
In a statement, the Japanese Embassy said it hopes the aid will help bring positive change to the lives of vulnerable Afghans.
According to the statement, the assistance will cover the basic humanitarian needs of vulnerable communities in Afghanistan.
The embassy added that the aid will be delivered through United Nations agencies, international organizations, and Japanese non-governmental organizations operating in Afghanistan.
Japan’s total assistance to Afghanistan since August 2021 has reached more than $549 million.
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