Botswana is thrilled about the possibility of hosting the Third United Nations (UN) Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), proposed for December in Gaborone.
President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi conveyed this excitement yesterday during a courtesy visit from UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, Ms. Rabab Fatima.
Dr. Masisi assured that the country's leadership is dedicated to making all necessary preparations for the conference. He also noted that, despite the general elections in October, a new government would be formed by the second week of November, ensuring a seamless transition and continuation of preparations for the December event.
Initially scheduled for Rwanda in June but rescheduled due to logistical challenges, the Third UN Conference on LLDCs in Gaborone will seek solutions and partnerships to address the challenges faced by LLDCs.
Ms. Fatima expressed the UN Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres' anticipation of the conference and his gratitude to Botswana for hosting it. She mentioned that, after discussions with the heads of UN agencies in Geneva, at least 35 agencies plan to participate among the thousands expected at the conference.
Ms. Fatima highlighted that the conference would be similar to the UN General Assembly meeting in Gaborone, with invitations extended to all 193 UN member states at the head-of-state level, as well as UN agencies.
"It will be a significant event. We will discuss various aspects of the new Programme of Action for the next 10 years, including the impact of climate change on landlocked countries, and develop the Gaborone Declaration to guide future policies," Ms. Fatima said.
Landlocked Developing Countries, emerging economies without direct coastal access, face higher transportation trade costs, dependence on transit countries, delays in goods movement, and reduced Foreign Direct Investment.
Botswana currently chairs the group of 32 LLDCs, which includes 16 African countries such as eSwatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe; 12 Asian states including Afghanistan, Armenia, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Nepal; two European countries, Moldova and North Macedonia; and two South American states, Bolivia and Paraguay.
In 2014, the UN adopted the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs, covering a decade from 2014 to 2024, aimed at addressing the constraints of lack of territorial access to the sea, remoteness from world markets, and specifying priorities including transit policy issues, transport infrastructure, and trade facilitation.
