The midterm review of the Vienna Programme of Action kicks off with Ministers of LLDCs calling for improved trade, transport and economic opportunities
Ministers and senior government officials from landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and development partners, gathered in Astana, Kazakhstan this year, during a two-day Ministerial Meeting on Achieving the SDGs in Landlocked Developing Countries through Connectivity and Trade Facilitation, to identify ways in which trade, economic transformation and the development of transport infrastructure can benefit LLDCs.
The event highlighted the importance of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and marks the start of a preparatory process for the comprehensive high-level midterm review of the Vienna Programme of Action (VPoA) to be held in 2019. The midterm review will provide an opportunity to review the progress that has been made in the implementation of the VPoA, a programme recognized as an integral part of the 2030 Agenda.
A new Declaration that calls for improved transport, promotes economic transformation and better trade was adopted at this meeting, to better integrate these countries into the global trading system, especially that they continue to face many challenges including lack of territorial access to the sea, isolation and remoteness from world markets and high transport and transit costs which impose serious constraints on their overall socio-economic development and trade competitiveness.
Ms. Fekita ‘Utoikamanu, the High-Representative and Under-Secretary-General for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Islands developing States welcomed the Outcome Declaration saying that “it covers very important areas, crucial for successfully improving the connectivity of the LLDCs and assisting them to harness their trade potential to accelerate the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, adding that “the meeting provided a platform for sharing experiences and lessons learnt and also provided an opportunity to highlight initiatives that support promotion of connectivity and trade in the LLDCs”.
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World leaders adopt ambitious 10 year action-plan for landlocked developing countries
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a 10 year action-plan aimed at accelerating sustainable development in the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries. The action-plan was put together in Vienna, Austria, where Heads of State and senior representatives from governments and international organizations gathered from 3 – 5 November at the Second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.
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The Vienna Programme of Action
Linking Landlocked Countries to Global Opportunities
An overview of progress made by the world’s 32 Landlocked Developing Countries since the adoption of the Almaty Programme of Action in 2003. The video features interviews with the Foreign Minister of Austria, USG Gyan Chandra Acharya and the Permanent Representative of Zambia to the UN and was played at the opening of the Second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, 3-5 November 2014.
Landlocked Navigators. Photo by Fátima Villasboa Maidana
Photo exhibition from Landlocked Developing Countries
UN-OHRLLS is delighted to share photographs from our Bordered by Borders photo call, which attracted over 500 photo entries from around the world – showcasing the rich cultural heritages, natural landscapes and communities who live in Landlocked Developing Countries.
