MINISTERIAL TRANSPORT CONFERENCE OF LANDLOCKED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES KICKS OFF IN TURKMENISTAN

Today, on August 15, 2022, the International Conference at the Level of Ministers of Transport of Landlocked Developing Countries in a hybrid format began its work at the Congress Center of the Avaza National Tourist Zone.

The forum, organized on the initiative of Turkmenistan under the auspices of the United Nations, is attended by delegations from about 40 states and over 30 international organizations. The current event also brought together heads of UN agencies, authoritative international, regional and subregional organizations and financial structures, representatives of the private sector, non-governmental associations, and academia. From the Turkmen side, members of the government, heads and representatives of a number of ministries and sectoral departments take part in the forum.

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent a video message to the participants of the International Conference of Transport Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries.

In his video address to the Conference participants, the head of state, in particular, noted that "The analysis of modern processes, the prevailing trends in the world economy convincingly shows that the development of transport and communications is becoming increasingly important and decisive."

As noted, the main objectives of the conference are to analyze the progress made by landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) in the field of sustainable transport and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), determine the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other challenges in this context . Topics also include consideration of the key role of transport in post-COVID-19 recovery, climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The objectives of the forum are to share knowledge, experience and innovative approaches, solutions for financing infrastructure after the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring its sustainability and stability, identifying recommendations and opportunities for improving the development and maintenance of transport infrastructure in LLDCs, as well as expanding international support in the field of transport and strengthening cooperation in this area for the benefit of LLDCs.

These recommendations are expected to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and will be presented at the Third United Nations Conference on LLDCs in 2024.