UN Gathering Finds Tokayev Advocating for Regional Collaboration Among Landlocked Countries
In a recent address at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Awaza, Turkmenistan, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed his country's commitment to supporting LLDCs.
Tokayev thanked President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan for convening the conference and UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his commitment to addressing the challenges faced by LLDCs. He also highlighted the importance of addressing the issues faced by these countries, inviting all to take part in the Regional Climate Summit to be held in Astana in partnership with the UN in April next year.
Climate change is a pressing issue for many LLDCs, with Tokayev naming water scarcity, glacier loss, desertification, and other extreme weather events as challenges that require coordinated regional efforts and strong international support.
Kazakhstan has been working to enhance regional connectivity, advance digital transformation, and promote long-term sustainable growth. The country has transformed itself from a landlocked country into a central hub in global logistics, transportation, and telecommunications. Corridors of roads, railways, and fiber optic networks link East-West and North-South routes, enabling Kazakhstan to facilitate transit and trade for LLDCs that otherwise face obstacles due to lack of direct access to ports.
Kazakhstan's efforts to foster inclusive development focus on empowering vulnerable populations within LLDCs. The country supports the empowerment of young people, women, entrepreneurs, and civil society as critical drivers of innovation and resilience. The UN Almaty Centre aims to use data-driven policies and foster innovation for inclusive growth, ensuring no one is left behind.
In terms of overcoming geopolitical vulnerabilities, Kazakhstan advocates enhanced international partnerships and regional cooperation frameworks to reduce these vulnerabilities. By hosting and supporting multilateral dialogues such as the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, Kazakhstan promotes simplified transit protocols, supports infrastructure investment pledges, and backs efforts to reform transit freedom and border procedures, reducing transit costs and political risks.
Kazakhstan also actively promotes initiatives aligned with global frameworks, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction. This alignment ensures LLDCs benefit from global climate finance, trade integration support, and sustainable infrastructure investments.
Tokayev emphasized the importance of renewed political will from transit countries, international development, and financial institutions to boost investments in key sectors like transport, energy, and digital infrastructure. He also expressed gratitude to the UN Secretary-General and all Central Asian partners for supporting Kazakhstan's initiative in establishing the UN Regional Center.
The establishment of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan, with its headquarters in Almaty, is a significant step forward in Kazakhstan's ongoing initiatives to support LLDCs. The center aims to promote regional cooperation, connectivity, and infrastructure enhancements, furthering Kazakhstan's role as a regional hub and advocate for LLDCs.
The 32 landlocked developing countries represent over half a billion people, and Kazakhstan's long-term leadership—beginning from hosting the first UN Conference on LLDCs—and ongoing initiatives continue to underpin efforts to transform landlocked disadvantages into regional opportunities. As Tokayev stated, Central Asia's experience demonstrates that geography does not define destiny, and the region is moving from a landlocked to a landlinked future, showing remarkable resilience in its socio-economic development.
However, many LLDCs continue to face obstacles in obtaining finance, technology, and access to global markets. Addressing these challenges requires continued cooperation and commitment from all stakeholders. Tokayev emphasized that addressing climate change must remain balanced and inclusive, matching the legitimate development needs of nations.
In conclusion, Kazakhstan serves as a regional logistical hub and political advocate, enabling LLDCs to enhance transport and trade connectivity, foster inclusive social and economic development, and mitigate geopolitical risks through cooperation and multilateral frameworks. Its long-term leadership and ongoing initiatives continue to underpin efforts to transform landlocked disadvantages into regional opportunities.
- In his address, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev underscored the necessity for collaboration in environmental science, particularly in addressing climate-change issues within landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), as these nations grapple with challenges such as water scarcity and desertification.
- The upcoming Regional Climate Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, in partnership with the UN, presents an opportunity for the industry of policy-and-legislation to develop and implement strategies to combat climate change and foster sustainable development within LLDCs.
- As part of its commitment to supporting LLDCs, Kazakhstan is also advocating for increased finance and investment, particularly in key sectors like transport, energy, and digital infrastructure, to ensure balanced and inclusive development, recognizing the legitimate needs of each nation.
- Tokayev's address at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries stressed the importance of engagement in general-news discourse to drive global awareness regarding the challenges faced by LLDCs and to mobilize support across politics and finance, ultimately working towards the shared goal of transforming landlocked disadvantages into regional opportunities.
