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Mr. President, 
Excellencies, 
Distinguished Delegates, 

It is an honor to address this important event marking the adoption of the new Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2024-2034. 

I begin by extending my sincere gratitude [to you, Mr. President] to the President of the General Assembly for convening this important meeting and for [your] his steadfast support for the Group of LLDCs.

I commend the co-chairs of the Preparatory Committee, Ambassador Alexander Mershick, Permanent Representative of Austria and Ambassador Enkhbold Vorshilov, former Permanent Representative of Mongolia, for their outstanding leadership in steering the negotiations to a successful outcome – a bold, ambitious and transformative new Programme of Action. 

My deep appreciation also goes to Ambassador Gladys Mokhawa, Permanent Representative of Botswana and [the then] Chair of the LLDC Group, whose tireless efforts have been instrumental in shaping this outcome.

I also thank all delegations, especially the LLDCs and development partners, for their constructive engagement in reaching consensus on this forward-looking document. 

Excellencies, 

We have crossed the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, yet the LLDCs continue to face profound challenges, including:

-    higher trade costs, 
-    inadequate infrastructure, 
-    digital divides, and 
-    growing climate vulnerabilities. 

These challenges have been exacerbated by:

-     economic shocks, 
-    adverse impacts of climate change, 
-    geopolitical tensions, and 
-    public health emergencies.

Between 2020 and 2023, LLDCs experienced average annual output losses exceeding 6% compared to pre-pandemic levels, significantly higher than the 4.7% decline experienced by other developing countries.

Against this backdrop, the Programme of Action is a blueprint for transformative change. 

It sets a bold and ambitious course for the LLDCs to address their unique challenges and unlock their full potentials.

Allow me to highlight its key elements:

First, the POA addresses the critical importance of agriculture. 

This sector contributes 19% to LLDCs’ GDP and employs 43% of their workforce. 

But low productivity and high vulnerability to climate change and other shocks have kept crop yields at 30% below global averages, with post-harvest losses as high as 25%. 

These impediments, coupled with rising food insecurity, underscore the urgent need for transformation. 

To address these issues, the POA proposes regional agricultural research hubs to improve practices, build resilience, and enhance productivity. 

By transforming agriculture, LLDCs can achieve food security, strengthen household incomes, and advance their economic transformation agenda.

Second, digital connectivity remains a significant barrier.
Internet usage in LLDCs at only 32.3%, is far below the global average of 66%.  And the situation is worse for women, with a 9% gender gap in internet access and usage. 

To bridge this divide, the POA envisions regional digital platforms and centers for science, technology, and innovation. 

These initiatives will enhance internet penetration, facilitate peer to peer learning, and reduce the gender digital gap.

Third, is international trade.

LLDCs account for only 1.1% of global merchandise exports and 0.7% of global services exports.

Annual exports per capita are a mere $410 – which is 13% of the global average. 

LLDCs face 40 per cent higher trade costs compared to coastal developing countries.

The POA sets an ambitious target to double these figures by 2034 through enhanced infrastructure, digital connectivity, and trade facilitation. 

It also calls for a dedicated work program for LLDCs in the WTO, to help address their unique trade challenges and ensure greater integration into the global economy.

Fourth, transit procedures remain a major barrier for LLDCs; import and export processes taking twice as long and costing 2.5 times more than those in coastal developing countries. 

The new POA calls on the Secretary-General to establish a high-level panel on freedom of transit, to explore practical ways of enhancing the implementation of international transit conventions.

This will support LLDCs’ efforts to improve access to global markets and reduce trade impediments. 

Fifth is the issue of connectivity and the considerable infrastructure gap facing the LLDCs. 

An additional 200,000 kilometers of paved roads and 46,000 kilometers of railways would be required for them to reach global average of road and rail network densities.

This would cost around US$509 billion for over a period of 20 years. 

This investment gap highlights the scale of the challenge and underscores the importance of mobilizing both public and private financing, as well as strengthening institutional capacities, to meet LLDCs’ infrastructure needs.

The new POA envisages establishment of an Infrastructure Investment Finance Facility, which is expected to address this financing gap. This deliverable will leverage the existing infrastructure finance facilities and enhance access to innovative sources.

Sixth, despite contributing less 2% of global carbon emissions in 2023, LLDCs bear a disproportionate burden of climate change impacts.

They accounted for 4.14% of global economic losses from climate-related events in the period 2015 to 2022.

However, climate finance for LLDCs remains grossly insufficient, with a drop in funding from $10.7 billion in 2019 to $8 billion in 2021 – a reduction by 25% in a period of 2 years.  

The POA calls for enhanced climate finance for LLDCs, urging development partners to honor their commitments, including a balance between adaptation and mitigation funding.

Finally, LLDCs face a widening financing gap. While ODA remains critical, it fell by nearly 10% from 2020 to $32 billion in 2022.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to LLDCs also remains low, despite a modest 2.8% increase to $24 billion in 2023. 

The POA emphasizes the importance of fulfilling ODA commitments, increasing FDI, and leveraging innovative financing mechanisms.

Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) can play a key role in bridging these financing gaps, as demonstrated by the record $100 billion IDA21 replenishment, which includes a $2.5 billion private sector window to boost private investment.

The upcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in 2025 presents a crucial opportunity to mobilize resources and partnerships for the timely and effective implementation of the POA. 

Excellencies,

The real impact of this POA will depend on its full and timely implementation.

My Office is fully committed to supporting the LLDCs throughout this process. We have already initiated key preparatory measures, including the development of a Roadmap and Results Framework to monitor progress, as well as national implementation guidelines tailored to the unique contexts of LLDCs.  

The entire UN development system has remained deeply engaged and committed to the LLDC agenda and will be critical partners for the implementation of the POA. 

Before concluding, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Government of Turkmenistan for its generous offer to host LLDC3 this year. We are confident that Turkmenistan will deliver a successful conference, and I call upon all Member States to attend at the highest political level.

Excellencies,

As the Secretary-General said: "There is no reason for landlocked developing countries not to be able to provide to their own citizens the same kinds of well-being that we want everywhere across the world." 

And the new POA provides precisely that roadmap for a transformative future for the 590 people of the 32 LLDCs, with clear targets, commitment, and deliverables.  It is a roadmap to drive progress through partnerships.  Let us not miss that opportunity.   

Let us move forward with renewed determination and solidarity to implement this transformative agenda and create a future where every LLDC thrives and contributes fully to the global community.

As the Secretary General of the LLDC3 Conference, I remain committed to ensuring a successful and impactful Conference, and to keeping the LLDCs high on the global agenda. 

I thank you, Mr. President.