Geography should not determine the fate of countries – the opening of a international conference held every 10 years for non -coastal developing countries

The Secretary -General said at the opening of the conference that the goal is to define solutions that can remove the barriers facing these countries and restore fairness to global development. He urged world leaders to rethink the development of non -coastal countries, where he said: “We meet today to confirm a basic fact: the fate should never be determined by geography.”

According to the United Nations Development Program, out of 32 non -coastal developing countries* around the world, 16 of which are located in Africa, 10 in Asia, four in Europe, and two in Latin America. It is combined with more than 500 million people.

Commercial barriers, debt distress

Mr. Guterres has identified the “tremendous challenges” that non -coastal developing countries are still facing – severe commercial barriers, high transportation costs, and limited access to global markets. He warned that the burden of debt on these countries had reached “dangerous and non -sustainable levels.”

Although the non -coastal developing countries represent seven percent of the world’s population, they only represent just more than one percent of the global economic product and trade.

The Secretary -General said: “This is a blatant example of the deep disparities that perpetuate marginalization.” He attributed this to “an unfair global economic and financial structure that does not reflect the facts of today’s interconnected world,” in addition to the legacy of colonialism.

Contract of ambition: Awaza’s action plan

Finding solutions to these challenges is the task before the conference, known as English as LLDC3 and is an abbreviation of the term “non -coastal developing countries”. The conference continues until Friday in the coastal city of Awza, located on the coast of Turkmenistan overlooking the Caspian Sea.

Despite its name, the Caspian Sea is not a sea but rather the largest inner lake in the world. It is not connected to the oceans of the world, and is mainly nourished by the Russian Volga River.

Mr. Guterres said: “The conference aims to launch a new contract of ambition – through the Awaza Action Plan and its results – and unleash the potential for the full development of non -coastal developing countries.”

The Oza Action Plan – adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2024 – represents a global commitment and reinforced to support development aspirations for non -coastal developing countries.

Four priorities for progress

The Secretary -General set four main priorities:

• Speeding economic diversification and digital transformation:
  • Investing in value -added industries, local innovation, and comprehensive growth.
  • Flue the digital gap to unleash artificial intelligence, e -commerce, and smart logistical services.
• Promoting trade, crossing and regional connection:
  • Update infrastructure and simplifying border crossing procedures.
  • Merging non -coastal developing countries into global value chains and repairing commercial systems.
• Enhancing climate work and resilience:
  • Double adaptation financing and build a climate change infrastructure.
  • Supporting non -coastal developing countries in green transformations with technology and partnerships.
• Mobilization of financing and partnerships:
  • Reforming global financial systems to ensure fair and affordable financing.
  • Expand the scope of easy financing and quickly release climate investment.

Mr. Guterres stressed that “the success of non -coastal developing countries is necessary for the success of the 2030 plan for sustainable development. He said: “We have knowledge, and we have tools … together, we can transform geography from a barrier to a bridge – linking not only markets, but peoples and cultures that give development their meaning.”

Regional challenges, global solidarity

The session was opened by welcoming the President of Turkmenistan, Sardar Berdi Muhammadov, who shed light on national initiatives to enhance international cooperation in the field of health care, climate work, and environmental protection.

He also drew attention to regional challenges such as the dryness of the Arral Sea and low water levels in the Caspian Sea, which is the largest closed water surface in the world.

In his speech, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Felmon Yang, referred to “the final date of the 2030 plan, which is close to” and called for decisive measures and a renewed commitment to pluralism and basic values.

He stressed that the three pillars of the United Nations Charter – Peace, Development and Human Dignity – must remain at the heart of all efforts, and that the procedures must reflect the promise not to leave anyone behind the knees.

Convert weakness into an opportunity

In his indication of the fragility of non -coastal developing countries in front of climate change and structural challenges, Mr. Yang said that these countries “should never lack access to opportunities, prosperity and hope”, called for international solidarity, investment in infrastructure, and the practical investigation of freedom of transit.

He also announced that the General Assembly announced August 6 an annual day to raise awareness of the non -coastal developing countries.

He said: “The General Assembly will continue to work as a global platform to support these countries.” Stressing the importance of monitoring the Awaza plan and preparing for a high -level review in 2029.

A pivotal moment

He also addressed the opening session Luke Bahdor Thaba, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, saying that the conference constitutes a “pivotal moment” for the 32 non -coastal countries that seek to overcome structural barriers in front of development.

Thaba, who is from Nepal, the non -coastal state, and among the least developed countries – noted that the Awaza action plan should be a “bold, ambitional and enforceable plan and directed towards the future” to turn weakness into an opportunity for more than 570 million people.

Mr. Thaba stressed the need to address the “increasing complexity and the size and urgency of” the challenges facing non -coastal developing countries, including debt, and the effects of climate change, and infrastructure gaps.

Mr. Thaba urged the establishment of an investment facility in the infrastructure of these countries, as well as increasing climate financing and soft resources, and accelerating technology transfer.

He also stressed the importance of regional cooperation and sustainable transport, praising the leadership of Turkmenistan. He emphasized again the commitment of the Economic and Social Council to enhance the Awaza – pledging action plan to integrate the priorities of non -coastal developing countries such as food security, empowering youth, and the ability to withstand climate change through all discussions and operations of the Economic and Social Council.

The third United Nations conference on non -coastal developing countries will continue tomorrow, Wednesday, August 6, with rounded table sessions and events on a set of topics, including linking and transportation, cooperation between the countries of the south, and youth participation.

---

_{List of countries classified as a non -coastal developing countries:}

_{Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Armenia, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Swatini, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the People’s Democratic Republic, Lesuto, Malawi, Mali, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, North Macedonia, Paraguay, Republic of Moldova, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.}