KATHMANDU, AUGUST 13
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that Nepal's high-level participation in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), held in Awaza city of Turkmenistan, reflected the nation's serious commitment to addressing the challenges faced by LLDCs.
Speaking at today's meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), PM Oli briefed lawmakers on the Nepali delegation's visit to the conference, which took place from August 5–7.
"Nepal raised its voice in the interest of landlocked developing countries on the international stage. Our participation and addresses in the conference's plenary sessions and thematic roundtables not only enhanced Nepal's international image but also demonstrated that Nepal is capable of assuming a leadership role," Oli said.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that his formal and informal addresses, along with bilateral meetings during the event, had strengthened Nepal's ties with friendly nations and consolidated cooperation with the United Nations.
Highlighting the conference's outcomes, Oli noted that the event successfully identified strategies to address issues such as transit-related inefficiencies affecting landlocked countries like Nepal and endorsed the Awaza Programme of Action. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to realizing LLDCs' aspirations for development.
The conference was attended by representatives from around 100 countries, including heads of state and government, the UN Secretary-General, and the President of the 79th UN General Assembly.
Oli informed the House that he addressed the plenary as Chair of the Group of Least Developed Countries and on behalf of Nepal, shedding light on the challenges faced by LLDCs. His speeches addressed issues such as inadequate infrastructure, limited market access, dependence on primary-product exports, high transit costs, low foreign investment, and the adverse effects of climate change.
"I emphasized the need to enhance mutual cooperation and partnerships among LLDCs, and I called on development partners for greater support to address these issues," Oli said, recalling his remarks at the high-level event.
"In my address as Prime Minister of Nepal, I highlighted our efforts to promote cross-border connectivity through climate-resilient infrastructure development, highway and railway expansion, trade corridor and green energy corridor construction. I also urged neighboring countries, development partners, and donor agencies to extend further support to our development journey," he added.
At the inaugural session of the high-level thematic roundtable, Seizing the Transformative Potential of Trade, Trade Facilitation and Regional Integration for LLDCs, which he co-chaired, Oli underscored the difficulties LLDCs face due to the absence of direct sea access and high transport costs. He urged effective and concrete actions to improve the living standards of approximately 600 million people in these nations.
In another thematic roundtable, Structural Transformation, Diversification and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as Drivers of Prosperity in LLDCs, which he also co-chaired, Oli encouraged LLDCs to leverage STI to increase productivity, mobilize resources, create employment opportunities, and integrate into global value chains to achieve structural transformation.
During the roundtable Enhancing Adaptive Capacity, Strengthening Resilience and Addressing Vulnerability to Climate Change, Oli stressed the importance of increasing LLDCs' access to climate financing, developing effective adaptation measures, utilizing the Loss and Damage Fund, building capacity, and facilitating technology transfer.
Similarly, in Building Sustainable Infrastructure, Strengthening Connectivity and Promoting Unfettered Transit Systems for LLDCs, he emphasized the need for strategic partnerships among transit countries, development partners, and the international community to achieve sustainable development in LLDCs. He also called for innovative financing mechanisms, technology transfer, and capacity-building programs tailored to the specific needs of LLDCs.
Oli further informed the House that he delivered keynote addresses in high-level roundtable sessions such as Glacial Melt and Beyond: Unraveling the Climate Challenge Impacting LLDCs and Promoting Regional Security and Cooperation Through Enhanced Trade and Transport Connectivity.
He also briefed lawmakers about his bilateral meeting with Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and other dignitaries on the sidelines of the conference.
