In December 2024, Gaborone, Botswana, will host the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3). This landmark event will focus on the unique challenges faced by LLDCs and explore solutions to foster a more equitable and prosperous future for these nations. The theme of the conference, “Driving Progress through Partnerships,” underscores the necessity for collaboration among international organizations, the private sector, and neighboring countries to enhance trade and develop integrated transportation networks.
Rabab Fatima, the Under Secretary-General and High Representative for LLDCs, highlighted the critical need for partnerships to overcome the persistent issues these countries face, such as geographical constraints and limited access to international markets. The conference aims to create the Gaborone Programme of Action, a ten-year roadmap for addressing these challenges with practical solutions and promoting sustainable development.
Botswana’s representatives emphasized the significance of this conference as the first of its kind dedicated to landlocked nations held in Africa. It presents a unique opportunity for shaping a transformative decade of action, particularly by engaging a diverse range of participants, including youth organizations and civil society. The goal is to ensure that LLDCs are recognized as integral to the future of global development.
