Ashgabat: The European Union (EU) has pledged increased support for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) during the Third UN Conference on LLDCs, hosted by the Government of Turkmenistan. Speaking on behalf of the EU and its Member States, the representative highlighted the significance of the Awaza Programme of Action, which emphasizes the need for quality technology, innovation, and evidence-based scientific advancement to propel progress in LLDCs.
According to European Union, the Programme underscores the necessity of overcoming structural constraints faced by LLDCs such as limited connectivity, high trade costs, and vulnerability to external shocks through integrated strategies. These strategies should leverage digital transformation, strengthen regional and global trade linkages, and promote climate and economic resilience in a fair and inclusive manner. The Programme also calls for mobilization of adequate financial and technical resources through enhanced international cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Finance remains a crucial aspect of this transformative agenda, with the EU stressing the need for a fundamental shift in the international financial architecture. The aim is to advance a more coherent, inclusive, and effective financing system that ensures increased, accessible, and efficient financial resources tailored to the specific needs of LLDCs. The Pact for Prosperity, People and the Planet (4P) offers a dialogue platform to discuss and develop new innovative tools.
In line with this vision, the EU is committed to mobilizing increased and more targeted financial resources from all sources to support LLDCs, bolstering partnerships through initiatives like Global Gateway. These initiatives focus on enhancing connectivity, strengthening infrastructure, and advancing sustainability, transforming LLDCs into dynamic, land-linked hubs of opportunity.
Examples of the EU's commitment include investments in digital, climate and energy, transport, health, education, and research for LLDCs. Notable projects like the Lobito Corridor and the NDjamena-Douala corridor aim to improve regional connectivity and infrastructure. Additionally, the EU is investing over EUR 700 million per year in the Great Green Wall Initiative to re-green the Sahel through sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient infrastructure.
In Central Asia, the EU is contributing to connectivity and regional integration through Team Europe Initiatives, focusing on digital connectivity and water energy and climate change. The Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity in January 2024 will kick-start the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, offering a multimodal and efficient route between Europe and Central Asia.
The EU is also expanding infrastructure in the Caucasus and Nepal to facilitate trade and energy distribution, alongside relaunching dialogue with Latin America and Caribbean partners, evidenced by the third EU-CELAC Summit and a consolidated investment agenda.
The EU's commitment extends to providing substantial Official Development Assistance (ODA), with EUR 88.7 billion allocated in 2024 and EUR 2.7 billion specifically for LLDCs in 2023 by EU institutions. The EU acknowledges the critical role of LLDCs in global prosperity and sustainable development, expressing readiness to work collaboratively with LLDCs on the Awaza Programme of Action to achieve sustainable and resilient development.
