ADDIS ABABA – Trade corridors, streamlined transit systems, and deeper regional integration are essential lifelines for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said.
He made the remark recently at the opening of the Third UN Conference on LLDCs (LLDC3) in Awaza, Turkmenistan.
In his address, Guterres urged world leaders to rethink global development strategies and act urgently to break the structural barriers that have long hindered the progress of LLDCs.
“We gather today to reaffirm a fundamental truth: geography should never define destiny,” he said. “LLDCs need smart logistics, efficient systems, and strong partnerships with transit countries to unlock their development potential.”
According to the UN Development Program, there are 32 LLDCs worldwide , 16 in Africa, 10 in Asia, four in Europe, and two in Latin America collectively home to over 500 million people. Yet, despite representing 7 % of the global population, these countries contribute just over 1 percent of global economic output and trade.
Guterres described this disparity as a clear sign of entrenched global inequality. “The current economic and financial architecture is outdated and unjust. It reflects neither the challenges of today’s interconnected world nor the lingering impacts of colonialism,” he emphasized.
He noted that LLDCs face high transportation costs, limited access to international markets, and mounting debt burdens that have reached unsustainable levels. These factors continue to marginalize LLDCs and undermine their development goals.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
Calling for urgent reforms to the global trade system, Guterres advocated for better integration of LLDCs into regional and global value chains, enabling them to move beyond dependence on raw commodity exports and into the production of value-added goods.
The UN Secretary-General also highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on LLDCs, despite their minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions — less than 3 percent. He urged the international community to double adaptation financing and invests in resilient infrastructure to help LLDCs withstand future climate shocks.
“The success of landlocked developing countries is essential to the success of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he concluded. “We have the knowledge. We have the tools. Now, we must transform geography from a barrier into a bridge connecting markets, cultures, and communities that power global progress.