By Jennifer Xin-Tsu Lin Levine
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 6 2025 – At the United Nations media stakeout on Tuesday, Israeli officials kept focus exclusively on the hostages, avoiding questions entirely.

Ahead of the Security Council Meeting on the Question of Palestine, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar and Israeli Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Danny Danon spoke to the press briefly.

Both spoke at length about the remaining hostages, referring to their captivity as “Islamic Jihad in the dungeons of Gaza.” Foreign Minister Sa’ar also criticized United Nations member states for “attacking Israel” by recognizing a Palestinian state during negotiations, calling it a “free gift” to Hamas and an incentive to continue the war.

The Security Council meeting was called by Israel to discuss the plight of hostages still being held in Gaza.

It comes after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released images and videos of two emaciated hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavsky, sparking outrage and condemnation.

Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča called the condition of the hostages “an affront to humanity itself.”

“The scenes of Evaytar apparently being forced to dig his own grave are appalling,” Jenča said.

“These images, and their own accounts of their treatment, have horrified us all.”

David’s brother, Ilay, participated in the meeting via videoconference.

Jenča said, “I pay tribute to your courage and determination, and I share your dearest wish: for your brother, and all hostages held in Gaza, to be immediately and unconditionally released.”

The Security Council meeting, however, came just hours after news that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to propose a full occupation of the Gaza Strip to his security council to completely defeat Hamas. Arguing that peace talks were unsuccessful and ceasefire discussions have stalled, it is unclear when this will occur.

Israel’s assault on Gaza has remained a deeply contentious debate in the United Nations and globally since Hamas’ attacks on October 7th, 2023. Recently, however, more member states have spoken out against Israel’s tactics—including the starvation of people in Gaza through the withholding of international and nongovernmental aid. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification’s most recent report classified Gaza as being in the highest phase of starvation, with 20 percent of households facing an extreme lack of food, 30 percent of children suffering from acute malnutrition and 2-4 non-trauma deaths for every 10,000 each day.

Approximately 600 retired Israeli security officials wrote an open letter to United States President Donald Trump, asking him to pressure Israel to immediately end the war in Gaza. Officials said, “Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel.” This criticism of the war from Israeli citizens is evident in polling numbers: Pew Research Center reported that the number of Israelis in favor of Israel governing Gaza had shrunk by almost 10 percentage points from 2024 to 2025.

Israel has also gained significant criticism from other states on the international stage: The United Kingdom recently announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September if Israel does not allow more aid into Gaza, continues to annex land in the West Bank, fails to agree to a ceasefire and refuses a long-term peace process. The UK would join almost 75 percent of UN member states, demonstrating political pressure from international organizations.

However, international pressure has not deterred Israel in the past. Israel is not a member of the International Criminal Court and therefore not subject to its rulings, making any legislation like the arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu politically damaging at best. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity for Netanyahu, former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif.

Amid ongoing rising international concerns, Israeli officials have consistently refused to answer direct questions from reporters regarding civilian deaths, blocked aid deliveries and settlement expansion.

Sa’ar said, “I came here to put the issue of the hostages front and center on the world stage. They cannot be forgotten.”

Neither he nor Danon took questions from the press—despite journalists calling out specific concerns regarding Israel’s plans to reoccupy Gaza.

During the Security Council debate, Jenča called reports of Netanyahu’s plan to expand military operations “deeply alarming.” Contradicting Sa’ar’s claims that only Hamas’s release of the hostages and disarmament will end the war, Jenča said the only path to ending the war was a permanent ceasefire in conjunction with a release of hostages and unobstructed humanitarian aid.

“There is no military solution to the conflict in Gaza or the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We must establish political and security frameworks that can relieve the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, start early recovery and reconstruction, address the legitimate security concerns of Israelis and Palestinians, and secure an end to Israel’s unlawful occupation and achieve a sustainable two-State solution.”

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By Yurdi Yasmi
ROME, Aug 6 2025 – Across continents and cultures, seeds and plants hold more than the promise of a harvest—they carry the wisdom of generations, the hopes of communities, and the keys to a more resilient future. Yet the diversity of the seeds and plants we grow, eat, and depend upon, is under growing strain.

When compared to just a decade ago, globally more than 40 percent of food plants and their wild relatives surveyed were no longer found in at least one of the areas where they occurred naturally or where they were previously cultivated. This quiet erosion of crop diversity may not make headlines, but its implications for food security are profound.

When compared to just a decade ago, globally more than 40 percent of food plants and their wild relatives surveyed were no longer found in at least one of the areas where they occurred naturally or where they were previously cultivated

Genetic diversity matters. It equips farmers and scientists alike with the basis to respond to pests and diseases, malnutrition and the changing climate. It enables the development of crops that are more nutritious, more productive, and better suited to local conditions. Without it, our ability to adapt weakens—at a time when adaptation has never been more critical.

But this is not a story of inevitable loss. It is a story of possibility.

The Third Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), offers a clear-eyed view of the challenge, and also a pathway forward.

Since FAO’s last global assessment in 2010, there has been notable progress. Global genebanks now hold close to six million samples of plant genetic material. Conservation areas, which include wild plants of value for our food systems, have expanded by 11 percent, although in it is unclear whether these plants are actively conserved.

In several regions, efforts are under way to conserve traditional varieties through community seed banks and to develop climate-resilient crops using local genetic resources.

Emergency efforts play a vital role in rehabilitation of agrifood systems. Between 2012 and 2019, FAO supported nearly 400 recovery interventions in 48 countries—two-thirds of them in response to climate-related disasters. Where possible, seeds were sourced locally, ensuring that farming communities could restore not only their crops but their cultural and nutritional traditions.

At the heart of these efforts lies a shared conviction: that safeguarding crop diversity is not only an ecological imperative—it is a development opportunity. The seeds of crops and varieties we protect today can transform agrifood systems tomorrow.

Still, more is needed. Many national genebanks operate with limited infrastructure, outdated systems, and insufficient capacity. New biotechnologies—such as genome sequencing and gene editing—offer great potential, but remain out of reach for too many public breeding programmes. We e must also ensure that farmers, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, have the support and recognition they deserve as custodians of living diversity.

The momentum is real. The tools exist. What’s needed now is the commitment to connect them —to develop, implement and invest in national and regional strategies, to build cross-sectoral partnerships, and to place crop diversity at the center of agrifood system transformation.

At FAO, we are committed to helping countries do exactly that. Through our convening power, technical expertise, and global partnerships, we are working to ensure that the knowledge, technologies, and resources needed to protect plant genetic diversity are available to all who need them.

We know the stakes. But we also know the potential.

By choosing to invest in conserving and using crop diversity, we can strengthen the future of food—for everyone, everywhere.

Excerpt:

Yurdi Yasmi is Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

By Kizito Makoye
AWAZA, Turkmenistan , Aug 6 2025 – “The term ‘negotiation’ must be understood in ethical context… When an arsonist comes and burns down my house and then asks me to negotiate so I can rebuild my house, that becomes the paradox.”

With these searing words, Malawi’s Vice President Michael Bizwick Usi cut through the diplomatic pleasantries at a high-level conference of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), laying bare the deep frustration felt by many vulnerable nations battling climate change’s harshest impacts.

Farmers in southern Malawi are still nursing the wounds left by Cyclone Freddy, thousands of kilometres away from the glass-and-marble plenary halls in Awaza—Turkmenistan’s glitzy Caspian Sea resort where LLDC leaders are gathered this week. The 2023 storm, one of the worst in the region’s history, ravaged homes, washed away crops, and pushed an already fragile economy deeper into crisis.

Set against the shimmering backdrop of opulent hotels and air-conditioned meeting rooms, the conference has placed climate change high on the agenda. But Usi’s emotionally charged remarks served as a reminder that for many LLDCs, the climate emergency is not a theoretical threat—it is a lived reality, with each passing season bringing more destruction.

“Many times, we go as a bloc and ask for general assistance. Some of the packages are not really relevant to the causes in those specific areas,” Usi added, urging world leaders to recognise the moral dimensions of climate negotiations.

Usi’s comments came as African LLDCs, including Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Chad, Burundi and Burkina Faso, celebrated the historic establishment of the Group of LLDCs as a formal negotiating bloc under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This move is not just symbolic. It marks a long-overdue recognition of the specific vulnerabilities faced by these nations—and the need for tailored climate finance, adaptation support, and international cooperation.

Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs estimated that 2.2 million people had been affected by Cyclone Freddy, with at least 1,434 fatalities and about USD 1.53 billion in damages. Credit: Red Cross

A Turning Point for the Forgotten

The formation of the LLDC Group under the UNFCCC was described by Rabaab Fatima, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for LLDCs, as “a critical step toward ensuring that the specific vulnerabilities and unique challenges of the LLDCs are reflected in global climate decision-making.”

Fatima added, “This achievement reflects the power of unity, leadership and resilience. It sends a clear signal that LLDCs will play a greater role in global climate negotiations. This gives us the means to effectively articulate and address the unique climate challenge that we all face today.”

Despite representing only 7 percent of the global population, LLDCs accounted for 18 percent of the world’s population affected by droughts and landslides between 2012 and 2023. With 55 percent of their populations relying on agriculture—compared to the global average of 25 percent—these nations are on the frontline of climate impacts, yet they often sit on the periphery of climate financing and technology transfer mechanisms.

The Ethical Dimension of Negotiation

In an interview with IPS, Usi challenged the moral framing of climate negotiations: “Do Bhutan and Malawi have the same issues and problems? Are we negotiating on a fair platform?” His comments cut to the heart of a decades-long grievance. LLDCs are hit hard by disasters they did not cause and lack the resources to respond.

His call for an ethical rethinking of climate negotiations resonated with others on the panel. Dina Nath Dhungyel, Bhutan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and External trade emphasized, “If you really want to fight climate change, each and every country must take responsibility.”

Bhutan, which has over 70 percent of its land under forest cover and is constitutionally mandated to maintain at least 60 percent, has long been a beacon of sustainability.

Still, as Dhungyel pointed out, even countries with exemplary green records cannot shoulder the burden alone.

“It may not be possible for a small nation like Bhutan… to mitigate climate change throughout the world,” he warned.

Tailoring Support to the Vulnerable

Historically, LLDCs have been lumped together with other developing nations in broad climate categories. This has led to the under-representation of many of their unique concerns, including fragile transit routes, dependence on drought-prone hydropower, and desertification.

The newly formed LLDC Group will help correct this by pushing for:

• Dedicated climate finance
• Priority access to technology transfer
• Support for resilient infrastructure
• Recognition in loss and damage frameworks
• Targeted capacity building

In 2023, more than 51 percent of LLDC populations faced moderate or severe food insecurity. Hydropower, which provides 44 percent of their electricity, is increasingly threatened by erratic weather. These structural dependencies demand targeted solutions.

Climate Finance: A Shrinking Pie

The battle for climate finance remains fierce. Chairman Pacheco of the LLDC Group acknowledged the complexity.

“Everybody’s competing. The pie size is not getting bigger… One more additional group has now been added to be asking for a slice of the pie. It’s not gonna be easy.”

Yet, Fatima argued, the LLDCs’ distinct voice is not only legitimate but also necessary. Her office is working to gather evidence and advocate for their rightful claim to resources: “We’ll try to mobilise the UN system as a whole… so that your unique climate challenges are also reflected in their priorities and programmes.”

From Recognition to Action

This momentum builds on Article 4.8(i) of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, which recognise the special needs of LLDCs. Yet until now, these provisions lacked institutional muscle. The LLDC negotiating group aims to bridge that gap.

The recently adopted Awaza Programme of Action for 2024-2034 identifies climate change as a top priority and outlines support mechanisms in adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and resilient infrastructure. It calls for systematic partnerships and tailored responses.

The inclusion of LLDCs in the formal UNFCCC process not only amplifies their voice but also enables cross-regional solidarity. Many LLDCs belong simultaneously to the G77+China, the African Group, and the Least Developed Countries bloc. As Pacheco noted, the strategy is to build consensus and gain broader support for LLDC priorities through these interlinked networks.

Hope in the Rubble.

But news of the LLDC bloc reaching the negotiating table gives her a sliver of hope. “If the world can see us, maybe they will help,” she says. “We don’t want to live on handouts. We want to build again.”

For millions of farmers in Malawi and across Africa, the world must listen—and act.

As the world heads toward COP30, the LLDCs are no longer silent. They have a seat at the table—and they intend to use it.

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By Joyce Chimbi
AWAZA, Turkmenistan, Aug 6 2025 – Agriculture is a critical sector in landlocked developing countries, as more than half (55 percent) of the population is employed in the agriculture sector – significantly higher than the global average of 25 per cent. As such, the deterioration of food security in landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) is an unfolding catastrophe.

There are 32 LLDCs, with a combined population of nearly 600 million people. The prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity rose from an estimated 43 percent in 2015 to 51 percent in 2023, and the rate of undernourishment from approximately 15 percent to 19 percent in the same period.

Today, participants from across the globe heard about efforts to establish regional agriculture research hubs to support LLDCs’ agricultural transformation and bring much-needed innovation, resilience and hope during a high-level event focused on agriculture at the ongoing Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Awaza, Turkmenistan.

“Establishing regional agricultural research centres is an important deliverable in the Awaza Program of Action, aimed at turning the untapped agricultural potential of the LLDCs into drivers of inclusive growth, food security, and sustainable development,” said Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, and Secretary-General of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

Amrit Bahadur Rai, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, told participants that in the LLDCs, “agriculture contributes only 17 percent of GDP and engages around 55 percent of the labour force. So, we can clearly see the concentration of poverty in this agricultural sector, while the productivity in the agricultural sector is alarmingly low.”

“These research hubs, when operationalised, are envisaged as centres of excellence to champion sustainable agriculture, promote reasonably coordinated yet locally rooted innovation and reinforce science-based research and development ecosystems.”

Adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly in December 2024, the Awaza Programme of Action (APoA) 2024–2034 provides a bold, forward-looking blueprint to tackle structural barriers in trade, infrastructure, climate resilience, and financing. Key deliverables include the establishment of Regional Agricultural Research Hubs to strengthen food security and the launch of an Infrastructure Investment Finance Facility to mobilise critical funding.

It also includes the creation of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Freedom of Transit, implementation of a dedicated WTO Work Programme for LLDCs and development of a UNFCCC Negotiating Body to advance trade and climate resilience. Keynote speakers during a press briefing today laid out many of the factors that necessitated the establishment of the LLDC Group under the UNFCCC.

Fatima also emphasised a landmark achievement for the LLDCs.

“The establishment of a formal negotiating group under the UNFCCC [the UNFCCC is the primary international treaty for addressing climate change] for the LLDCs. For too long, despite being among the most climate-vulnerable countries, the landlocked developing countries have not been getting special treatment such as access to climate finance from the global community.”

“For the first time,” she continued, “Climate change as a substantive action has been recognised and has a dedicated priority for the LLDCs in the new programme of action. The establishment of the negotiating group under the UNFCCC is the first tangible deliverable of this Programme of Action.”

She further stressed that this is a critical step towards ensuring that the specific vulnerabilities and unique challenges of all LLDCs are addressed, allowing them to be effective in global climate decision-making. LLDCs face significant challenges in addressing climate-related issues. A third of LLDCs were in fragile or conflict-affected situations in 2024.

Bolivia is the chair of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) under the UNFCCC and was instrumental in leading the group to this position. Malawi currently holds the position of chair for the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group under the UNFCCC.

The Vice President of Malawi, Dr Michael Bizwick Usi, lauded the establishment of the LLDCs group under the UNFCCC and highlighted the need for research that reflects the realities of these countries, as it then provides them an opportunity to chart their path rather than simply consuming prescribed solutions.

Amid escalating climatic changes and suffering from droughts, desertification, and floods, he said LLDCs are now in a much better position to negotiate and produce solutions tailored to their unique circumstances. This is especially true now, as farmlands are shrinking due to the severe impacts of rising temperatures.

The Awaza Programme of Action for LLDCs for the Decade 2024-2034 supports climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, climate finance, resilient infrastructure development, loss and damage, and biodiversity loss. Fatima stressed that one of the most pressing problems in the world today is the untapped agricultural potential of the LLDCs and that building resilience to climate change is a significant part of the solution.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy in most landlocked developing nations, and it provides livelihoods for the majority and is central to reducing poverty and building resilience. Yet, despite its importance, agriculture in landlocked developing nations remains underperforming and underfunded,” she said.

“The structural constraints are well known,” Fatima continued, “difficult topographies, high transfer costs, climate shocks, limited market access, and outdated practices. Nearly 54 percent of the landlocked developing countries’ land is classified as dry land, and 60 percent of the landlocked developing countries’ population live in these areas compared to just 36 percent in neighbouring transit countries.”

Against this backdrop, the formation of the LLDCs as a recognised group of highly vulnerable countries in the relevant processes and negotiations under the UNFCCC is the key first step to providing a structured and institutional framework for such partnerships to address the LLDCs’ vulnerabilities and specific needs.

The unique geography of the LLDCs makes a unified negotiation for more favourable climate outcomes urgent for millions of lives and livelihoods, as these countries are typically situated in internal drylands, where desertification and heat stress are worsening, as well as mountainous regions that are especially exposed to melting glaciers, landslides and flash floods.

With roughly 12 per cent of the world’s land surface, LLDCs suffered more than 20 per cent of the total number of droughts and landslides between 2012 and 2023. And despite representing just 7 per cent of the world’s population, LLDCs accounted for about 18 per cent of the globally affected population by droughts and landslides over this period.

Even the complex transit routes LLDCs depend on for access to international markets are often undermined by disasters and extreme weather events, severing and jeopardising their trade and competitiveness in the global markets. Ahead of COP30, hope now looms large that the LLDCs will successfully negotiate in line with their most pressing climate-related challenges.

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By Kizito Makoye
AWAZA, Turkmenistan , Aug 6 2025 – In the glass-panelled hallway straddling Buildings 2 and 3 at the Awaza Congress Centre, two smartly dressed young Turkmens stood behind an ornate national pavilion—anxious, alert, and surprisingly eloquent.

Their broad smiles visibly grabbed wide-eyed delegates attending the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). With a confidence far beyond their age, the volunteers clearly explained to visitors the kernel of Turkmenistan’s national identity—entangled by culture as politics.

“This is a dutar,” said one, gesturing toward a glass-encased replica of a traditional two-stringed musical instrument. “It is played during weddings and celebrations. It carries the stories of our people.”

His colleague pointed to a smaller display nearby, where a miniature replica of the monumental Neutrality Monument stood—the golden effigy of Saparmurat Niyazov, the country’s founding president, glinting under gallery lights. “This represents our neutrality,” she said proudly. “We are a peaceful nation. We do not choose sides.”

As visitors flocked to the pavilion, the two young guides continued their patient explanations—this time describing a replica of Akhal-Teke horses, symbols of national pride, bred for endurance and elegance.

“Just like the horses,” one said with a grin, “Our country is strong, swift, and steady. But we also don’t race just because others are running.”

In this resort city, hospitality is a powerful expression of national pride.

As you move around the streets, women in long traditional gowns greet you with a graceful nod and a soft “Hoş geldiňiz”—welcome.” Dressed in embroidered velvet dresses that sweep the floor and crowned with intricate headscarves, these women are the gentle face of Turkmenistan’s long-held tradition of welcoming strangers with dignity and warmth.

“It is in our blood to treat foreigners with great care and concern.”

In a world increasingly divided, the warmth of Turkmenistan’s people, cloaked in simple gestures of kindness, stands as a symbol of diplomacy—one that speaks not through declarations, but through hospitality that lingers long after the meetings are over.

A Doctrine of Distance

Since 1995, when the UN General Assembly unanimously recognized Turkmenistan’s neutrality, the Central Asian nation has embraced a foreign policy of non-alignment, eschewing military alliances, foreign bases, and entanglements in regional conflicts. The policy, enshrined in the national constitution, is described by government officials as a model of “positive neutrality”—a means of building peace through equidistance and sovereignty.

A Fortress Amid Fires

Bordered by Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan occupies a strategically sensitive patch of Eurasia. Yet it has remained almost impervious to the turmoil around it. When war engulfed Afghanistan, Turkmenistan kept its embassies open. It offered humanitarian aid—but not political commentary.

Unlike other Central Asian states, it refrained from joining Moscow-led security blocs like the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and even kept Beijing at a careful diplomatic bay despite deepening energy ties.

Turkmenistan’s hosting of the LLDC conference carried both symbolic and practical significance. It is one of the few LLDCs that has successfully leveraged its location by investing heavily in cross-border energy and transport infrastructure.

“Your hosting of this important global gathering is a testament to the country’s commitment to international cooperation and sustainable development,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

A Landmark Moment for Landlocked Nations

On the shores of the Caspian Sea, in the resort town of Awaza, limousines ferried dignitaries past pine-lined boulevards and marble buildings as world leaders gathered for the momentous talk.

The Awaza gathering brought together representatives from 32 landlocked developing countries—home to nearly 600 million people across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America—to chart a new course under the Awaza Programme of Action, a 10-year strategy aimed at reversing structural disadvantages stemming from geographical isolation.

Awaza’s gleaming hotels and high-tech halls stood in contrast to Burundi’s rugged highlands thousands of kilometers away—but in both, a digital transformation is underway.

The stakes could not be higher. LLDCs account for just over 1 percent of global trade and economic output, despite housing 7 percent of the global population. They face steep transport costs, limited access to global markets, unreliable infrastructure, and acute climate vulnerabilities.

A Moment for Multilateralism

As the 3rd LLDC conference convened in the windswept coastal town of Awaza, all eyes turned to Turkmenistan—not for bold pronouncements, but for the quiet power of its example. With its longstanding policy of neutrality, the Central Asian nation has carved a distinct identity rooted in non-alignment and peaceful engagement, making it an ideal host for a summit aimed at fostering regional solidarity and global support for countries isolated by geography.

Secretary-General António Guterres, in a rousing address, held up Turkmenistan’s model of diplomacy and inclusion as a guiding light for other landlocked nations struggling with marginalization. Against a backdrop of rising global fragmentation, Awaza became more than a meeting ground—it emerged as a bridge between continents and between aspiration and action.

Speaking at a high-level press conference Tuesday, Guterres issued a passionate appeal for justice, equity, and renewed international solidarity, reminding the world that “geography should never define destiny.”

“This conference reflects a new era of cooperation taking shape across Central Asia,” said Guterres, “grounded in mutual trust, shared priorities, and growing regional solidarity. At a time when multilateralism is being tested, this spirit of partnership is more essential than ever.”

A Plea for Dignity and Inclusion

Guterres’s remarks were peppered with humanistic language rarely heard at geopolitical conferences. “This is not only a matter of development,” he told journalists. “It’s a matter of dignity and justice.”

Responding to a question from Euronews, he drew a distinction between landlocked developed nations like Switzerland or Austria and their developing counterparts. “They have free access to harbors and integrated markets. But for landlocked developing countries, being far from ports and trade hubs is a real disadvantage,” he said.

He praised Turkmenistan’s multilateral diplomacy and recalled the country’s remarkable feat of granting citizenship to all stateless persons left behind after the collapse of the Soviet Union. “This was almost unique in the world—a symbol of generosity I never forgot,” he said.

Four Pillars of Action

The Awaza Programme of Action is a comprehensive development framework aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda. It charts an ambitious, multi-sectoral path forward, structured around four priorities:

1. Unlocking Economic Potential

Guterres called for bold investment in infrastructure, education, digital connectivity, and innovation.

“The countries represented here have the talent and the ideas,” he said. “They need the tools and support.”

2. Connecting to the World

“Trade corridors, transit systems, and regional integration are not technical issues—they are lifelines,” Guterres said.

He urged countries and institutions to invest in both the “hardware” and “software” of trade—resilient transport infrastructure, harmonized customs procedures, and smart logistics platforms.

3. Confronting the Climate Crisis

Though LLDCs contribute less than 3 percent to global emissions, they are among the hardest hit by climate disasters.

Guterres called on rich nations to fulfill their pledges to double adaptation finance, support green industries in LLDCs, and provide early warning systems.

4. Reforming Global Finance

Guterres described the global financial system as “unfit for the realities of today.” He called for tripling the lending capacity of development banks, expanding concessional finance, and reforming sovereign debt architecture.

Global Responsibility and Shared Future

Though the conference was set against a backdrop of regional cooperation in Central Asia, its implications reverberate far beyond.

“When LLDCs thrive, entire regions benefit.” Guterres said

Global Call for Justice, Not Charity

Though spread across four continents—from the Sahel to the Himalayas, and from Central Asia to South America—LLDCs face a strikingly similar plight: crippling transport costs, technological isolation, and rising debt burdens.

“Landlocked developing countries don’t want charity. They want justice,” Guterres told reporters. “They want equitable access.”

Digital Lifelines for a Disconnected World

One of the most pressing themes in Awaza was the digital divide that has left millions in LLDCs without access to online education, health services, or global markets.

“Digital transformation must be central to our effort,” Guterres said.

He pledged to present a report on innovative financing to support AI capacity-building and called for robust public-private partnerships.

Connecting Landlocked Economies to the World

Guterres also emphasized infrastructure investment and seamless cross-border trade as keys to transformation.

“We must cut red tape, digitize border operations, and modernize transport networks,” he said.

Building Bridges Across Borders

In an interview with IPS, Aygul Rahimova, a resident of Turkmenistan, underlined the importance of the LLDC conference for regional connectivity.

“Although we are technically landlocked, Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea, which offers us a unique opportunity to serve as a transport and logistics bridge between Asia and Europe,” she said.

“I hope this conference becomes a catalyst for deeper cooperation… Turkmenistan is ready to play a key role in building bridges—through the Caspian, through trade, through diplomacy.”

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