President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov participates in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries

On August 5, 2025, the opening ceremony and the first plenary session of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries took place in the National Tourist Zone “Avaza” under the chairmanship of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The Forum was attended by heads of state and government, high-ranking officials from over 100 countries, around 50 international organizations, and representatives of more than 20 leading companies. To provide wide coverage of this significant event, more than 160 media representatives from approximately 40 countries gathered in Avaza.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, acting as the current Chair of the Forum, declared the Conference open and delivered a welcoming address.

Following the established procedures of the Conference, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was elected Chair of the Conference by a vote.

The UN Secretary-General congratulated the head of state on his election as Chair of the Conference and invited him to take his seat at the presidium.

Upon receiving the gavel from the UN Secretary-General, the President of Turkmenistan proceeded to the specially designated chair.

The head of state then delivered a speech in his capacity as Chair of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

“It is a great honor and privilege for me to be elected Chair 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.

In accordance with the agenda, the floor was then given to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who expressed sincere appreciation to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan for their hospitality and proactive approach in organizing this important Conference.

Focusing on the Avaza Programme of Action, António Guterres emphasized that the United Nations supports the efforts of landlocked developing countries in this regard and outlined the key vectors for joint action in the coming decade.

Following this, the President of Turkmenistan expressed his thanks to the head of the UN and gave the floor to the President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Philemon Yang.

“It is a great honor for me to take part in this Forum,” said Mr. Yang, giving high praise to the warm welcome extended in Turkmenistan. Acknowledging the profound significance for humanity of the principles laid out in the UN Charter, Philemon Yang noted that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has now entered its final five-year period.

At the conclusion of his speech, Mr. Yang expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Turkmenistan for creating favorable conditions for fruitful work and for the warm hospitality.

Thanking the President of the 79th session of the General Assembly for his speech, the head of state then gave the floor to the President of the UN Economic and Social Council, Loke Bahadur Thapa.

In his address, Mr. Thapa emphasized the importance of this International Conference, which opens new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable development for more than 570 million people living in 32 landlocked developing countries. He concluded by expressing confidence in the successful implementation of the Avaza Programme of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The President of Turkmenistan thanked the President of the UN Economic and Social Council for his substantive remarks.

The floor was then given to the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Chief of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, Adylbek Kasymaliev, who is serving as the acting Chair of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries.

“Today we have gathered in Avaza, on the shores of the Caspian Sea, not only to review the outcomes of our joint work, but also to define the next steps toward ensuring more sustainable connectivity. In this context, the Avaza Programme of Action for 2024–2034 will contribute to the development of forward-looking plans that will allow landlocked developing countries to fully engage in global development,” said Mr. Kasymaliev.

Next, the floor was given to the representative of the host country of the Second UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, the Secretary of State at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria, Sepp Schellhorn, who warmly welcomed the participants and expressed gratitude to Turkmenistan for its hospitality. He also thanked UN Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Rabab Fatima and the members of her Group for their continued efforts in support of Austria.

After thanking the Secretary of State of Austria’s Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs for his remarks, the President of Turkmenistan gave the floor to Ms. Rabab Fatima, Secretary-General of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

“It is a great honor for me to speak here as Secretary-General of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries,” said Ms. Fatima, expressing deep gratitude to the Government and people of Turkmenistan for their proactive role in organizing this important Forum.

The speeches touched upon issues such as infrastructure, connectivity, economic reforms, and resilience to climate change.

Upon conclusion of the welcoming speeches, the Conference adopted its procedural rules and agenda, elected officials, and addressed other organizational matters in accordance with its operational procedures.

During the plenary session, speeches were delivered by heads of state and government, as well as leaders of delegations at the vice-presidential level, including: President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, King Mswati III of Eswatini, 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 Mohamed Younis Menfi, and President of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Carlos Manuel Vila Nova.

Addressing the participants of the Forum, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov declared the first plenary session of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries closed and noted that the Conference would resume in the afternoon with general statements.

In the afternoon, the Conference continued its work. Among the speakers were Vice President of the Republic of Malawi Michael Bizwick Usi, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia Muhammad Jallow, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mali Abdoulaye Maïga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Nepal Sharma Oli, and First Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Reza Aref.

As was emphasized, the key conditions for ensuring sustainable development in landlocked developing countries include attracting investment in transport and transit corridors, diversifying economies, and expanding the production of high value-added goods, particularly innovative products.

The Conference will continue its work on August 6.