President Tokayev delivered a speech at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, DKNews.kz reports.
In his address, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimukhamedov for convening this landmark Conference and expressed appreciation to UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his unwavering commitment to addressing the challenges and opportunities of the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).
– Over two decades ago Kazakhstan took the lead by hosting the First UN Conference on LLDCs, marking the beginning of its long-standing engagement in this enduring process. That historic event paved the way for the Almaty Programme of Action, which placed the issues of LLDCs on the global development agenda for the first time. We gather today in Awaza with renewed determination and shared purpose to take this agenda another step forward, – the Head of State emphasized.
According to him, the 32 landlocked developing countries represent over half a billion people. Many of them continue to face impediments in getting finance, technology and access to global markets.
– Limited regional connectivity, still remains the core challenge for LLDCs and this challenge causes a range of economic difficulties, including high transit and trade costs, and vulnerability to geopolitical dynamics. These constrains add poverty and limit competitiveness. They are further exacerbated by conflicts, economic sanctions, supply chain disruptions and rising global mistrust. Nevertheless, Kazakhstan believes that LLDCs must be seen as equal and promising partners in shaping global agenda solutions. The voices of landlocked developing countries must be stronger, our cooperation deeper and collective ambition bolder, – said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
President Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan fully supports the Awaza Programme of Action as a roadmap toward a resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.
– This important endeavor must be matched by renewed political will of transit countries, international development and financial institutions. Innovative financial mechanisms are needed to boost investments in key sectors like transport, energy and digital infrastructure, – stated the President.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted climate change as another pressing issue.
– Many LLDCs face water scarcity, glacier loss, desertification and other extreme weather events. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated regional efforts and strong international support. At the same time, I believe that climate action must remain balanced and inclusive, matching the legitimate development needs of nations. To strengthen our joint climate efforts, I invite all of you to take part at the Regional Ecological Summit to be held in Astana in partnership with the United Nations in April next year, – the President stated.
He noted that Kazakhstan, together with its friends and partners, is working to enhance regional connectivity, advance digital transformation, and promote long-term sustainable growth.
– We have placed priority on developing transport corridors and transit infrastructure, along the North-South route and Middle Corridor. Our long-term goal is an integrated network of rail, road, air and logistics centers. This will increase Kazakhstan’s position as the Eurasian transit hub, which now provides nearly 85% of all continental traffic between Asia and Europe. We are also investing in digital connectivity. Kazakhstan has established the Alem.AI Artificial Intelligence Center in Astana and recently launched a supercomputer. Our doors are open for scientific collaboration and we welcome our partners to join us, – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed.
Speaking on regional issues, the Head of State emphasized that Central Asia's experience demonstrates that geography does not define destiny.
– We are moving from the landlocked to the landlinked future. Our region shows remarkable resilience in its socio-economic development and demonstrates that with the political will, strategic investment and international partnership, landlocked status can become a strong impetus for growth – not an impediment. We witness that Central Asia has transformed into the region of mutually beneficial interaction with dynamically developing trade, investment, transport, communication potential, as well as sustainable resource management. Two days ago, Kazakhstan signed the Host Country Agreement with the United Nations on the establishment of the
UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan, with its headquarter in Almaty. I am confident that it is a major achievement for the entire region and fully complements the noble goals of the Awaza Programme. I once again express my gratitude to the UN Secretary-General and all our Central Asian partners for supporting Kazakhstan’s initiative, – emphasized the President.
In conclusion, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s strong commitment to the goals and principles of the group of Landlocked Developing Countries.
– Only through strengthened international partnerships, can we ensure that LLDCs remain integral part of the global development agenda, – the Head of State concluded.
