KATHMANDU, AUGUST 5

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has emphasized that geography must no longer define a nation's destiny.

Addressing the UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) on Tuesday, he stated, 'With strengthened partnerships, smart investments, and unwavering collective will, we can overcome the constraints of landlockedness and ensure economic prosperity for our people.'

He highlighted Nepal's firm belief in the power of regional solidarity and global cooperation to bridge development gaps. 'With continued support from our neighbors, India and China, and the broader international community, we can transform landlocked barriers into gateways of opportunity,' he said.

As an active member of the LLDC group, Nepal stands ready to contribute not only as a beneficiary of change but as a partner in shaping it, he added.

A Call for Connectivity, Innovation, and Shared Prosperity

PM Oli called for collective action to drive progress toward a future defined by connectivity, innovation, resilience, and inclusion. However, he acknowledged the persistent structural challenges faced by LLDCs-geographical isolation, dependence on transit countries, poor transport infrastructure, and limited integration into regional and global markets.

'These challenges are even more severe for the LLDCs that are also Least Developed Countries,' he noted. Despite two decades since the Almaty and Vienna Programmes of Action, LLDCs still face high trade and transit costs, limited diversification, over-reliance on primary commodity exports, weak private investment, and growing climate vulnerabilities.

Unlocking the Potential of LLDCs

'LLDCs are not defined solely by their geographic constraints, but also by their potential,' the Prime Minister stressed. 'They are rich in untapped resources, home to innovative youth, and increasingly engaged in the digital economy.'

He said the Awaza Programme of Action presents a timely opportunity to tackle long-standing bottlenecks and embrace inclusive, resilient growth. But, he cautioned, 'Ambition without action will not suffice.' Strong political will, renewed global partnerships, and coordinated action are critical.

The Awaza PoA identifies five priorities: structural transformation and STI (science, technology, and innovation), trade facilitation and regional integration, transit and connectivity, climate resilience, and effective means of implementation.

'With the right policies and support, LLDCs can transform-from landlocked to land-linked, from transit-dependent to trade-competitive, and from climate-vulnerable to climate-resilient nations,' PM Oli asserted. He emphasized the power of digital technology to transcend physical limitations and called for inclusive partnerships to turn isolation into integration.

Nepal's Commitment and Vision

Nepal, he said, fully supports the Awaza PoA as a visionary and actionable blueprint for the next decade. Its priorities align closely with Nepal's national vision of 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.'

Despite graduating from LDC status next year, Nepal still struggles with high transport costs, limited regional connectivity, and inadequate infrastructure. 'Our goal is to transform Nepal from a landlocked to a land-linked country,' he reiterated.

Nepal is prioritizing investments in highways, railways, cross-border trade routes, digital corridors, and green energy partnerships.

'We are working closely with India and China to enhance connectivity across multiple sectors and aligning our efforts with regional and international initiatives to ensure LLDC-specific vulnerabilities are addressed,' PM Oli concluded.