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Person watering leafy crops in a green field.
Located more than 500km from the Atlantic coast, Burkina Faso is one of 16 landlocked developing countries in Africa.
Photo:UNDP / Aurélia Rusek

When geography hinders growth

Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) lack territorial access to the sea, leaving them dependent on transit neighbors for a route to world markets. This geographic disadvantage drives up transport costs, introduces avoidable delays, and exposes LLDCs to any political or economic instability along those corridors. The results are stark: Average transport costs are more than twice those of neighboring coastal states.

Export opportunities shrink, foreign direct investment falls, and economic growth slows.

When a transit country is itself a developing economy—often the case—intraregional trade remains modest.

See the list of LLDCs

poster of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries

Driving Progress through Partnerships

The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, or LLDC3, (Awaza, Turkmenistan, 5 - 8 August 2025) presents a vital opportunity to forge meaningful partnerships that unlock the potential of LLDCs. Through innovative solutions, strategic collaboration, and targeted investment, the global community can help overcome the unique challenges these countries face. By supporting these countries, we can help to build a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

LLDC3 conference

Why this international day is important

We are at a pivotal moment for the 32 LLDCs across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. Home to over 600 million people, LLDCs face steep development hurdles due to lack of sea access, geographical isolation, and trade costs that are 30% higher than those of coastal countries.

To spotlight these challenges, proclaiming August 6 as the International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries. The first celebration of this Day will take place during the Third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in 2025.

Did you know?

  • Of the total 32 LLDCs: 16 are located in Africa, 10 are located in Asia, 4 are located in Europe, and 2 are located in Latin America.
  • The smallest LLDC is Bhutan (less than one million people) and the largest is Ethiopia (135 million people). 
  • The average distance of LLDCs to a seaport is 1370 km. Kazakhstan is located farthest from the sea (3750 km) followed by Afghanistan, Chad, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe with distances from the nearest sea coast in excess of 2,000 km.
  • The severity of the challenges faced by the LLDCs is further enhanced as 16 of the 32 LLDCs are Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
  • Approximately 40% of the urban population in the LLDCs lives in slums – 100 million people.
  • More than double the number of people in LLDCs are undernourished compared to the rest of the world.

#Locked Out: Breaking barriers, Driving connectivity

The #LockedOut campaign unites governments, partners, the UN, civil society, and individuals to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by LLDCs and build global solidarity ahead of the LLDC3 Conference. The campaign brings attention to how these countries are #LockedOut, shares stories of individuals in landlocked countries that are breaking barriers, and advocates for support across five key areas of focus – transport and connectivity, infrastructure development, digital inclusion, climate action and youth engagement.

Participants at the LDC Future Forum 2024

The Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) mobilizes international support and advocates in favour of the three vulnerable country groups: 45 Least Developed Countries (LDCs), 32 Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and 39 Small Island Developing States (SIDS), each facing their own unique sets of challenges in achieving sustainable development and internationally agreed goals. The office raises awareness about the economic, social and environmental potential that exists in these countries and ensures that the pressing needs of the 1.1 billion people who live in them, remain high on the international agenda. 

A fish care taker in a Nepalese trout farm.

Over time, the international community has crafted a variety of frameworks to tackle the various challenges by the 32 Landlocked Developing Countries, resulting in notable gains: trade agreements have been ratified, border-crossing procedures made more efficient, and large-scale road and railway networks developed. Yet, many LLDCs remain constrained by structural barriers and uneven progress in key socioeconomic areas. To build on the momentum of earlier efforts and address these constraints comprehensively, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on 24 December 2024, launching the . 

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.