UN reps urge access for landlocked states

March 10,kết quả u18 2017 - 11:41

Landlocked developing countries in Euro-Asia yesterday called for greater partnerships and collaboration to develop key infrastructure, facilitate trade and promote regional co-operation.

Landlocked developing countries in Euro-Asia on Thursday called for greater partnerships and collaboration to develop key infrastructure, facilitate trade and promote regional co-operation. — Photo cand.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — Landlocked developing countries in Euro-Asia on Thursday called for greater partnerships and collaboration to develop key infrastructure, facilitate trade and promote regional co-operation.

The three-day UN high-level meeting for the Euro-Asia Region in Hà Nội provided an arena for member states, international organisations and think tanks to share their experiences on how to improve trade facilitation for landlocked developing countries (LLDCs).

Without territorial access to the sea, the 32 LLDCs in the world face an enormous trade disadvantage as they are geographically isolated from the global market. The LLDCs have to count on neighbours with major seaports for merchandise transit services.  

Further co-operation between the LLDCs and transit countries was emphasised as a critical component to facilitate free and quicker movement of goods from the LLDCs to ports.

“This meeting provides a unique opportunity to enhance dialogue and co-operation on issues of transit, trade facilitation and regional co-operation that are very important to the overall sustainable development of landlocked developing countries and their transit neighbours within the framework of the (United Nations) 2030 Agenda,” said Gyan Chandra Acharya, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

“Our collective action and the global partnership can transform landlocked countries into land-linked countries.” — VNS