Avaza :On August 5, 2025, the opening and first plenary session of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries took place in the Avaza National Tourist Zone under the chairmanship of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The Forum was attended by heads of state and government, high-ranking officials from over 100 countries, about 50 international organizations, and representatives of over 20 leading companies. Over 160 media representatives from about 40 countries gathered in Avaza to widely cover the current significant event.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, as the current Chairman of the Forum, declared the Conference open and delivered a welcoming speech.
Then, in accordance with the order of the Conference, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was elected its Chairman by voting.
The UN Secretary-General congratulated the head of state on his election as Chairman of the Conference and invited him to take a seat on the presidium.
Having accepted the mallet from the UN Secretary General, the President of Turkmenistan goes to a specially designated place.
Then the head of state, as the Chairman of the Third UN Conference of LLDCs, delivered a speech.
“It is a great honour and privilege for me to be elected as the Chairman of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries,” said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, expressing heartfelt gratitude on behalf of Turkmenistan to the delegates for their participation in the Forum. Then in accordance with the agenda the speeches were delivered.
The first floor was given to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who expressed sincere gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan for their hospitality and proactive position in organizing this important Conference.
Focusing on the Avaza Agenda for Action, António Guterres noted that the United Nations supports the efforts of LLDCs in this direction and specified key vectors of joint action for the next ten years.
Having thanked the head of the authoritative organization for his speech, the President of Turkmenistan gave the floor to the Chairman of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Philemon Young.
It is a great honour for me to take part in this Forum, the guest said, expressing his appreciation for the warm welcome extended to him in Turkmenistan. Having noted the enormous significance for humanity of the visions laid down in the UN Charter, Philemon Young noted that the SDG Agenda for the period up to 2030 has entered its final five years.
In conclusion of his speech, Philemon Young expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Turkmenistan for the conditions created for fruitful work and the warm welcome provided.
Having thanked the President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly for his speech, the head of state gave the floor to the President of the UN Economic and Social Council, Lok Bahadur Thapa.
Lok Bahadur Thapa stressed the importance of the International Conference, which will open up new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable development for over 570 million people living in 32 landlocked countries. In conclusion, the guest expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the Avaza Action Framework to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The head of state thanked the Chairman of the UN Economic and Social Council for his informative speech.
Then the floor was given to the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Head of the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Adylbek Kasymaliev, acting chairman of the Group of Landlocked Countries.
Today we have gathered in Avaza, on the Caspian coast, not only to sum up the results of our joint work, but also to identify further steps to ensure more sustainable interconnectedness. In this context, the Avaza Action Programme for 2024-2034 will facilitate the development of long-term plans that will allow landlocked developing countries to fully participate in global development, said A. Kasymaliev.
The floor was then given to the representative of the host country of the Second UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria Sepp Schellhorn, who, warmly welcoming those gathered, expressed gratitude to Turkmenistan for the hospitality extended, as well as to the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Ms. Rabab Fatima and the members of the Group headed by her for the efforts undertaken in the interests of Austria.
Having thanked the State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria, the President of Turkmenistan gave the floor to the Secretary General of the Third UN Conference, Ms. Rabab Fatima.
“It is a great honour for me to speak here as Secretary-General of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries,” said Ms. Rabab Fatima, expressing deep gratitude to the Government and people of Turkmenistan for their proactive role in organizing this important Forum.
The discussion continued with issues such as infrastructure, connectivity, economic reform and climate resilience.
Following the welcoming speeches, in accordance with the order of the Conference, its rules of procedure and agenda were adopted, officers were elected, and other organizational matters were considered.
Then, during the plenary session, the heads of state and government, as well as the heads of delegations at the vice-presidential level, spoke: President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, King of Eswatini Mswati III, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Chairman of the Presidential Council of the State of Libya Mohammed Yunus Menfi, President of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe Carlos Manuel Vila Nova.
Then, addressing the Forum participants, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov announced the end of the first plenary session of the Third UN Conference on LLDCs, noting that it would continue its work in the afternoon with general statements.
In the afternoon, the UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries continued its work. During the meeting, Vice-President of the Republic of Malawi Michael Bizwick Usi, Vice-President of the Republic of Gambia Muhammad Jallow, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mali Abdoulaye Maiga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda Robina Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Nepal Sharma Oli, First Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Reza Aref spoke.
As noted, the main conditions for ensuring sustainable development in landlocked developing countries are attracting investment in transport and transit corridors, diversifying the economy, and expanding the production of goods with high added value, in particular, innovative products.
On August 6 the Conference will continue its work.
