Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for deeper regional collaboration and global support to tackle the unique challenges faced by landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). Speaking at the Third UN Conference on LLDCs in Ashgabat on Tuesday, Tokayev highlighted the need for inclusive, sustainable development through strategic partnerships and enhanced connectivity.

LLDCs, home to over 500 million people, face persistent obstacles such as restricted access to global markets, limited financing, inadequate transport infrastructure, and vulnerability to geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. These structural challenges, Tokayev noted, exacerbate poverty and hinder competitiveness.

He called for innovative financing solutions, strong political will, and increased investment from international institutions and transit countries. Priority areas include transport, renewable energy, and digital technologies.

Addressing climate challenges, Tokayev emphasized the urgency of tackling water scarcity, glacier melt, and desertification. He also pointed to Kazakhstan’s leadership in boosting regional infrastructure, stating, “Central Asia is moving from being landlocked to landlinked.”

Tokayev urged greater representation for LLDCs in global forums and multilateral institutions, stressing that these nations must not be left behind in the global development agenda.

The Third UN Conference on LLDCs aims to create strategic partnerships and actionable plans to overcome the unique disadvantages of these countries. It highlights the potential for inclusive growth through collaboration, innovation, and investment, paving the way for LLDCs to integrate more fully into the global economy.