New york: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has declared that geography must no longer determine the destiny of nations, as he addressed the UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). “With strengthened partnerships, smart investments, and unwavering collective will, we can overcome limitations of ‘landlockedness’ and ensure economic prosperity to our people,” PM Oli articulated during the conference.
According to National News Agency Nepal, PM Oli emphasized Nepal’s firm belief in regional solidarity and global cooperation as essential elements to bridge the development divide. He expressed confidence that, with the continued support of neighboring countries India and China, alongside the broader international community, the barriers of being landlocked can be transformed into opportunities. As a committed member of the LLDC family, Nepal is prepared to collaborate as both a beneficiary and a partner in shaping change, he asserted.
PM Oli highlighted the importance of togetherness in driving progress towards a future defined by connectivity, innovation, resilience, inclusion, and shared prosperity. Despite this, he acknowledged the persistent structural barriers faced by LLDCs, such as geographical isolation, dependency on transit countries, inadequate transport networks, and limited integration into regional and global markets. These challenges are particularly acute for LLDCs that are also classified as Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
He noted that despite two decades of progress from the Almaty to Vienna Program of Action, LLDCs continue to struggle with infrastructure and connectivity deficits, high trade and transit costs, limited diversification, and a heavy reliance on primary commodity exports. These barriers significantly impede economic growth and development, PM Oli argued.
He further elaborated on the potential of LLDCs, which are not only defined by their geographical constraints but also by their untapped natural resources and innovative populations. He emphasized the urgency of unlocking this potential through the Awaza Programme of Action, a renewed opportunity to tackle longstanding bottlenecks and pursue inclusive and resilient growth.
PM Oli outlined the Awaza Programme of Action’s five priorities under the theme ‘Driving Progress through Partnership’: structural transformation and STI; trade facilitation and regional integration; transit, transport, and connectivity; climate resilience and adaptation; and means of implementation. He urged for strong political will, renewed global partnerships, and coordinated actions at all levels.
He expressed optimism that with the right policies, solidarity, and support, LLDCs can transition from landlocked to land-linked, from transit-dependent to trade-competitive, and from climate-vulnerable to climate-resilient countries. Science, technology, and innovation, particularly digital technologies, hold immense promise for overcoming LLDCs’ physical limitations, he noted.
Nepal, he shared, welcomes the Awaza Programme of Action as a visionary and actionable blueprint for the coming decade, resonating with Nepal’s national goals, including the aspiration of a ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.’ Despite being a landlocked LDC set to graduate next year, Nepal faces challenges such as high transport costs and inadequate infrastructure.
PM Oli detailed Nepal’s investment priorities, including expanding highways and railways, cross-border trade routes, digital corridors, and green energy partnerships. He emphasized collaboration with neighboring India and China to enhance connectivity and integration, aligning national efforts with regional and international initiatives to address LLDC-specific vulnerabilities within broader development frameworks.