Source: Akorda.kz | August 5, 2025
At the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), held in the coastal city of Avaza, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a forward-looking and inclusive address, highlighting both regional cooperation and global responsibility in addressing the unique challenges faced by LLDCs. The event was convened at the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, whose diplomatic leadership was acknowledged throughout the proceedings.
President Tokayev began by expressing deep appreciation to President Berdimuhamedov for organizing the timely and critical gathering, as well as to UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his unwavering support for the sustainable development of landlocked developing countries.
“Landlocked developing countries, numbering 32 and home to over half a billion people, continue to face disproportionate barriers in accessing global markets, finance, and technology,” Tokayev stated. He emphasized that limited regional transport connectivity remains a core issue, increasing trade costs and reducing competitiveness, especially in a world of mounting geopolitical tensions and disrupted supply chains.
Futhermore, Kazakhstan, a long-standing advocate for LLDCs, has played a pioneering role in this area, having hosted the first UN Conference on LLDCs over two decades ago. That milestone led to the adoption of the Almaty Programme of Action, which formally integrated the LLDC agenda into global development efforts.
“Today in Avaza, we renew our commitment to building a more inclusive and resilient future,” Tokayev said. He voiced strong support for the newly adopted Avaza Programme of Action, which he called “a roadmap for transformative development,” and called on transit countries, development agencies, and financial institutions to support its implementation through innovative mechanisms and targeted investment in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure.
President Tokayev also addressed the urgent issue of climate change, stressing its severe impact on LLDCs through water scarcity, glacial melt, desertification, and other extreme weather events. He advocated for balanced, inclusive climate measures that align with development needs and invited all stakeholders to attend the upcoming Regional Environmental Summit in Astana, to be held in partnership with the United Nations in April 2026.
Highlighting Kazakhstan’s domestic initiatives, Tokayev spoke of the country’s growing investment in connectivity and digital transformation, including the development of the North-South corridor, the Trans-Caspian Corridor, and the launch of a national AI hub, Alem.AI, in Astana.
He noted, “Our goal is to become a key Eurasian transit hub — today, Kazakhstan already accounts for nearly 85% of overland cargo transit between Asia and Europe.”
On a broader regional level, President Tokayev remarked that Central Asia has demonstrated that geography need not define a nation’s destiny. Through sustained political will and strategic partnerships, the region is transitioning from isolation to integration, becoming a vibrant center for trade, investment, and sustainable resource management.
Finally, a significant highlight of his speech was the announcement of a newly signed agreement between Kazakhstan and the UN to establish a Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan, headquartered in Almaty — a major step toward coordinated regional progress.
In conclusion, Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s steadfast commitment to the goals and principles of the LLDC group. “Only through strengthened international cooperation can we ensure that LLDCs remain an essential part of the global development agenda,” he concluded.
In sum, the Avaza conference not only marked a key diplomatic moment for Kazakhstan but also showcased Turkmenistan’s growing role as a convener of multilateral dialogue, bridging regional priorities with the global development agenda. The event reaffirmed the importance of Central Asian unity in building a sustainable, connected, and inclusive future for all.
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