BY KING’S CORRESPONDENTS
AWAZA, TURKMENISTAN – His Majesty King Mswati III has told the 3rd United Nations Conference on Landlocked Development (LLCDs) that they pay twice the transport costs of coastal neighbours, hindering competitiveness and investment.
The conference was attended by UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres, Turkmenistan’s President Serdar and other world leaders from LLCDs.
The King said this is one of many other challenges faced by Eswatini and LLCDs countries which comprise of logistical delays, limited market access due to poor infrastructure.
“For Eswatini, being landlocked is not just a geographic condition but a daily development challenge. High transport costs and vulnerability to global shocks slow our progress. Yet, these challenges inspire us to think innovatively and seize opportunities for cooperation,” he said.
However, despite these challenges His Majesty the King said the theme for the conference: “Driving progress through partnerships” resonates with landlocked countries’ aspirations.
The King said the country prioritises infrastructure investment to transform from landlocked to land-linked, enhancing connectivity and reducing trade costs.
“We are upgrading rail lines, streamlining customs procedures, and investing in digital infrastructure to connect our people, communities and markets efficiently, to mention just a few. These efforts foster regional integration and economic competitiveness,” His Majesty said.
He said to build resilience and ensure sustainable growth, Eswatini is diversifying beyond traditional sectors as the country is promoting investment in agro-processing, tourism, renewable energy, ICT, creative industries and private enterprise.
“This strategy broadens our economic base, creates jobs and supports inclusive development, aligning with our national priorities and Agenda 2030 and 2063,” the King said.
His Majesty the King said a dynamic private sector is vital for inclusive growth and the Kingdom is fostering an enabling environment for all, including youth, women and marginalised groups through regulatory reforms and entrepreneurship programs unlocking their potential to drive economic progress and ensure no one is left behind.
ESWATINI MAKING PROGRESS
AWAZA, TURKMENISTAN – His Majesty the King has told the conference of LLCDs here in Awaza that geography will not define the country’s destiny.
The King said through partnerships, innovation and policy coherence, Eswatini will transform its landlocked status into a launchpad for sustainable development.
Eswatini is making progress despite the challenges it faces.
“In the 2024/2025 our economy grew by eight per cent, with momentum continuing into 2025/2026. Sectors like mining and construction are achieving double-digit growth, driving diversification and job creation, for all emaSwati.
“Through our local revenue collections, stronger SACU receipts, as well as multilateral organisations’ programs our fiscal deficit is narrowing, and public debt is declining,” the King said.
He said also tourism has become a major contributor to the country’s economic growth. The King said Eswatini’s cultural heritage, landscapes, and festivals attract regional and international visitors, with investments in infrastructure and community-led initiatives generating income for rural communities.
“Partnerships are central to Eswatini’s strategy. Through active participation in regional and international markets we advance connectivity and trade. Eswatini has ratified the WTO trade facilitation agreement and, with the World Bank, launched a national trade information portal to simplify trade procedures and boost private sector engagement in global markets,” he said.
The King said the country welcomes the prospects of establishing an infrastructure investment finance facility for LLDC’s to unlock financial recourses and create a more conducive environment for sustainable development.
“We call upon financial institutions and developed countries to mobilise funds to bridge the half a trillion-dollar gap for landlocked countries,” the King said.
He said the LLDC’s must act decisively and collectively to ensure its 606 million citizens, projected to reach one billion by 2060, enjoy a future defined by opportunity, not isolation.
His Majesty said development today is driven by innovation, hence Eswatini’s Royal Science and Technology Park cultivates home-grown solutions.
“By opening our Innovation and Biotechnology Parks to investors, we aim to become a regional hub for knowledge industries, driving technological change. Eswatini is bridging the digital divide through investments in broadband, digital literacy, and ICT infrastructure.
“We are in a drive to improve our e-customs systems to streamline service processes in order to foster regional trade integration,” the King said.
REFORM GLOBAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM TO AID LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES – GUTERRES
AWAZA, TURKMENISTAN – United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has called for an overhaul of the international financial architecture to address systemic injustices faced by developing and landlocked nations.
Speaking at the third UN Conference on landlocked countries here, he said; “It is time to overhaul the international financial architecture, provide effective debt relief, ensure access to concessional funding, and enhance the capacity of development banks.”
He argued that the current system, established post-World War II by and for developed nations, marginalises developing countries, leaving them with crippling debt and limited resources to meet their citizens’ needs. This reform, he stressed, is critical to empowering nations to deliver essential services and opportunities.
Guterres highlighted the dual challenges faced by LLDCs, which suffer not only from the systemic issues affecting all developing nations but also from geographic isolation. Limited access to international markets, costly imports, and uncompetitive exports due to distance and logistical barriers hinder their progress. The Secretary General called for clear international rules to facilitate the free movement of goods and services, alongside infrastructure support in neighbouring countries to ease trade.
The conference is expected to reiterate a Programme of Action, which Guterres described as providing “clear guidelines” for LLDCs to implement strategies to overcome their challenges. It also urges the international community to show solidarity, ensuring these nations are not left behind in global progress. “Landlocked developing countries must benefit from global opportunities, allowing their citizens to fully participate in our interconnected world,” he said.
Guterres framed the conference as a pivotal moment to centre LLDCs in the global development agenda, a topic often neglected. By linking their challenges to broader calls for reform, aligned with initiatives like the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the Pact for the Future, he underscored the urgency of collective action.
NEW INFRASTRUCTURE FUND AND GLOBAL BUSINESS NETWORK
AWAZA, TURKMENISTAN –The Under Secretary General of the LLDCs Rahab Fatima has unveiled two key initiatives to aid landlocked countries that include Eswatini.
These are; a new Infrastructure Investment Finance Facility and the Global Business Network for LLDCs. These initiatives aim to bridge critical gaps in connectivity and economic opportunity, setting the stage for a decade of transformation. This was didclosed during the opening day of the third LLDC Conference.
Fatima highlighted the urgent need to redefine these nations, not as “landlocked” but as “land-linked,” integrated partners in the global economy. At the heart of this vision lies the proposed Infrastructure Investment Finance Facility, an initiative to tackle the staggering $500 billion infrastructure financing shortfall faced by LLDCs.
“Goods take 42 days to enter and 37 days to exit LLDC borders, paved road density is just 12 per cent of the global average, and internet access reaches only three per cent of their populations,” she noted.
The new facility aims to mobilise capital to pave roads, enhance digital connectivity, and close these gaps. For the first time, the conference featured a dedicated forum on physical and digital connectivity, where stakeholders explored innovative solutions to these persistent barriers. The initiative promises to unlock economic potential by making trade and communication faster and more affordable for these nations.
Equally significant was the launch of the Global Business Network for LLDCs, announced during the conference’s afternoon session. This milestone positions the private sector as a key partner in sustainable development, fostering partnerships to drive investment and innovation. “The legacy of this conference will be measured in the roads we build, the trade corridors we open, and the digital divides we close,” the under secretary general declared, emphasising the network’s role in turning ambition into action.
The Awaza Programme of Action, already in motion with over 320 projects and programmes, provides a comprehensive framework to transform these challenges into opportunities. The conference also introduced national mainstreaming guidelines and toolkits to integrate the programme into LLDC budgets and plans, alongside regional collaborations with UN commissions and development banks.
Beyond infrastructure and business, Fatima addressed broader challenges, including economic transformation and climate resilience. LLDCs account for just 0.8 per cent of global service exports and face logistics costs 63 per cent higher than transit countries.
Proposals like a UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Freedom of Transit and regional agricultural hubs aim to address these disparities. On climate, LLDCs suffer 80 per cent of global drought and landslide impacts despite minimal emissions, prompting a dedicated negotiating group under the UNFCCC to amplify their voices.
TRANSFORM THE LANDLOCKED TO LAND-LINKED-UN PRESIDENT
AWAZA, TURKMENISTAN – The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Philemon Yang, has called for a collective global effort to address the unique challenges faced by landlocked nations.
Emphasising that the struggles of these countries are a shared responsibility, the President urged the international community to transform landlocked countries into “land-linked” nations to ensure no one is left behind.
Yang was speaking at the third UN conference on landlocked Developing Countries, hosted by Turkmenistan, which brought together delegates from across the globe to discuss the challenges faced by the 570 million people living in 32 landlocked developing countries.
The President expressed deep gratitude to Turkmenistan’s national leadership and its people for their warm hospitality and for creating a platform to tackle these pressing issues. “I am privileged to experience your vibrant culture and rich history,” the President said, praising Turkmenistan’s pivotal role in the UN General Assembly and its visionary initiative, the Dialogue for Peace, which promotes multilateralism and preventative diplomacy.
The core of the President’s speech was a call to action: the challenges of landlocked developing countries are not theirs alone but a global responsibility. “This is not just the struggle of landlocked nations. It is a global responsibility,” the President declared. The conference aims to advance a comprehensive Programme of Action designed to accelerate sustainable development within and across LLDCs. This plan outlines the next chapter of commitments to address barriers such as limited access to international markets, high trade costs, and infrastructure deficits that hinder economic progress in these nations.
The President underscored the transformative potential of turning landlocked countries into land-linked ones, fostering connectivity through improved infrastructure, trade facilitation, and regional cooperation. This vision aligns with the UN’s broader mission to ensure inclusive development worldwide. “Together, we must turn landlocked countries into land-linked countries. That is how we leave no one behind in every part of the world,” the President stated.
The conference in Awaza seeks to galvanise international support for LLDCs, which face unique geographic and economic challenges. By adopting the Programme of Action, delegates aim to set clear strategies for overcoming these obstacles, ensuring that landlocked nations can fully participate in global trade and development.
NEW PRESIDENT FOR LLDC CONFERENCE
AWAZA, TURKMENISTAN – The president of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has been elected President of the LLDC Conference.
This took place yesterday during the opening session of the third United Nations LLDC Conference held here.
The LLDC Conference came about following a United Nations General Assembly Resolution 79/233, which was adopted on December 24, 2024. It outlines the Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) for 2024–2034, aiming to address the unique challenges faced by 32 LLDCs in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, which are home to about 570 million people.
These nations face significant barriers to sustainable development due to their lack of direct sea access, high transport and trade costs, inadequate infrastructure, and vulnerability to global crises such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, and pandemics. The Programme builds on the limited progress of the Vienna Programme of Action (2014–2024) and aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework.
The Programme focuses on five priority areas to achieve sustainable and resilient development by 2034:
- Structural Transformation and Science, Technology, and Innovation: Aims to diversify economies, enhance productive capacities, and promote industrialization. Targets include doubling manufacturing value added, increasing labor productivity by 50%, and establishing regional agricultural research hubs to boost sustainable agriculture.
- Trade, Trade Facilitation, and Regional Integration: Seeks to double LLDCs’ global merchandise and services exports by improving trade facilitation, reducing non-tariff barriers, and enhancing regional trade agreements to integrate LLDCs into global markets.
- Transit, Transport, and Connectivity: Focuses on ensuring efficient access to the sea through improved transport infrastructure, including roads, railways, and dry ports. It aims to close missing links, standardize cross-border transit, and enhance air transport and digital connectivity for universal Internet access by 2030.
- Enhancing Adaptive Capacity and Resilience: Addresses climate change and disaster risks, targeting the development of national adaptation plans by 2025, strengthening early warning systems, and increasing climate finance to build resilient infrastructure and reduce biodiversity loss.
- Means of Implementation: Emphasizes mobilizing domestic and international resources, including official development assistance, foreign direct investment, and remittances, while addressing debt sustainability to support LLDCs’ development goals.
The Programme calls for strengthened partnerships among LLDCs, transit countries, and international stakeholders, with robust monitoring and a midterm review planned for 2029 to ensure progress toward inclusive, sustainable growth and poverty eradication by 2034.
