The National Tourist Zone "Avaza" in Turkmenistan will host the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in early August 2025. This event is of crucial importance for the 32 countries whose geographic location poses unique economic challenges. The goal of the conference is to develop a new ten-year action program aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in these regions.

 

LLDCs face difficulties due to the lack of direct access to the sea, remoteness, and insufficient integration into global trade. These factors result in high trade costs, limited infrastructure, and complex customs procedures, which reduce their export competitiveness.

 

Freedom of transit is critically important for integrating LLDCs into global trade. It allows them to move goods freely through neighboring countries, diversify their economies, attract investment, and integrate into global trade networks. This also benefits transit countries by stimulating regional trade and integration.

 

The six Central Asian countries — Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — have historically played a key role along the Silk Road. Today, they remain important transit hubs. The development of transport and logistics networks in these countries will positively impact global trade.

 

"Infrastructure development is a catalyst for overcoming the geographical limitations of LLDCs. Adequate road, rail, and air networks will reduce transport costs and transit time, ensuring efficient movement of goods to global markets. This contributes to increased production and added value," said Amangeldi Hallyev, PhD in Technical Sciences and Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Mechanics, Faculty of Agricultural Mechanization of Turkmen Agricultural University named after S. Niyazov.

 

LLDCs need to build more diversified and resilient economies by actively adopting technological advancements. Diversification reduces vulnerability to raw material price fluctuations and market uncertainties, ensuring stable and equitable growth. The conference in Avaza will be an important step in this direction.