President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan outlined a set of initiatives to address the pressing challenges faced by landlocked developing countries during his speech at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in the Awaza National Tourism Area in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan.
The high-level event was chaired by President Serdar Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan and brought together UN Secretary-General António Guterres, regional leaders including Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, as well as heads of government, international organizations, and financial institutions.
Equal Access for Landlocked States
In his address, President Mirziyoyev emphasized the critical importance of ensuring landlocked countries have equal access to the global economy. He pointed out that physical distance from seaports and reliance on neighboring countries’ infrastructure and policies create persistent barriers to trade and development.
“The agenda that unites us today concerns a fundamental issue - the issue of justice. This is ensuring that landlocked countries have the opportunity to participate in the world economy on equal terms,” he said.
Citing World Bank data, Mirziyoyev noted that Central Asia loses up to 2% of its GDP annually due to high transport costs and unreliable transit. Logistics expenses can comprise up to 60% of the final cost of goods in the region, significantly above global averages.
Strategic Proposals and Initiatives
To tackle these obstacles, the Uzbek leader proposed a series of concrete actions, including:
- Acceleration of key transport corridors, such as the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan and China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railways, to boost connectivity and open new trade routes.
- Maximizing the Middle Corridor’s potential through harmonized transit policies, unified regulations, and reasonable container tariffs.
- A Global Agreement on Transit Guarantees under the UN to ensure fair port access, reduce risks in cargo delivery, and create more balanced global logistics systems.
- Establishing a UN-backed Logistics Integration Fund to finance infrastructure projects in landlocked countries, with an estimated $40bn annual investment needed in Central Asia alone.
- Developing a Global Vulnerability Index to better assess transit limitations and guide international support.
- Launching an Innovation Hub for Agriculture in Uzbekistan to promote water-saving technologies, food security, and regional knowledge sharing.
Regional Progress and Outlook
President Mirziyoyev highlighted Uzbekistan’s efforts to reform its economy, digitize trade, and develop modern transport infrastructure with private sector involvement. The head of the state also noted economic progress in the region.
In recent years, trade turnover has increased 4.5 times, exceeding $11bn. Investments have also doubled, and the number of joint ventures has increased fivefold.
“Trust and partnership in Central Asia have reached a new level,” he said. “This creates a powerful driver for transformation.”
He also stressed the importance of leveraging expertise from global think tanks and convening international forums to discuss deeper economic integration, AI and digital development, cross-border investment, and support for innovation ecosystems.
Uzbekistan will also join the International Analytical Centre for Landlocked Countries, further signaling its commitment to global cooperation.
The conference concluded with the adoption of the Awaza Political Declaration, affirming international resolve to support landlocked developing nations in overcoming systemic disadvantages and achieving sustainable development.
President Mirziyoyev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s readiness to engage in long-term, constructive partnerships to build a fairer and more inclusive global development framework.
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