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EUSR`s Speech in Panel no.3 of the United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries “Leveraging South – South Cooperation to promote trade facilitation and deepen regional integration for increased participation of LLDCs in International Trade

06.08.2025
Awaza, Turkmenistan

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Distinguished colleagues and partners,

I am honoured to speak today about the immense potential of South-South cooperation in advancing sustainable, resilient, and transformative development for Landlocked Developing Countries — LLDCs.

LLDCs face distinct challenges: geographic isolation, high transport costs, and vulnerability to external shocks.

Yet, through strengthened collaboration with other developing countries facing similar hurdles, LLDCs can overcome these barriers and unlock new opportunities.

South-South cooperation enables LLDCs to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and transfer appropriate technologies in critical areas such as trade facilitation, infrastructure development, and climate resilience.

Joint investments in transport corridors and digital networks can break down physical and economic isolation, fostering regional value chains that generate jobs and boost competitiveness.

From the European Union’s perspective, we are committed to supporting and amplifying these efforts through triangular cooperation.

We facilitate dialogue platforms where LLDCs and their partners can collaborate on customs modernization, border management, and trade reforms. Such collaboration is essential to streamline procedures and reduce trade costs.

It is widely acknowledged in global frameworks that partnerships among LLDCs and other developing countries are vital for addressing shared challenges, especially in transport and infrastructure.

The Awaza Programme of Action specifically highlights the critical role of transport infrastructure and regional cooperation in unlocking LLDCs’ economic potential.

It calls on partners to support integrated, sustainable transport networks that reduce transit times and costs.

Let me share some examples of triangular cooperation in transport supported by the EU:

In East Africa, the EU has backed the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority, enabling countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan to collaborate on improving transport routes,

  • harmonizing customs procedures, and reducing border delays — significantly facilitating regional trade.
  • In Central Asia, we support South-South initiatives among Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan to develop multimodal transport networks connecting landlocked countries to key regional hubs and ports.
  • The EU also supports the African Union’s Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), a platform fostering cooperation on transport projects that link LLDCs to coastal ports and markets, tackling logistical bottlenecks.

These examples show how South-South cooperation, reinforced by EU support, is transforming transport systems and advancing LLDCs’ integration into global trade.

The EU remains committed to providing technical assistance, capacity building, and co-investing in infrastructure under South-South frameworks.

We also promote regional trade agreements that reduce barriers and encourage private sector partnerships, building resilient regional value chains.

In conclusion, South-South cooperation — encouraged by key international triangular cooperation initiatives — is a catalyst for LLDCs’ development.

Together, with the EU’s support, we can deepen regional integration, lower trade costs, and build a future where geography no longer limits opportunity.

Thank you.