EUSR`s Speech at a Side Event on “Sustainable Transport for LLDCs: Leveraging South-South Cooperation” at the United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, organised by UNOSSC

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Distinguished colleagues, esteemed partners,

It is an honor to join you today in this important discussion on advancing transport infrastructure and trade facilitation for landlocked developing countries.

We all recognize that LLDCs face unique and persistent challenges — from geographic isolation and high transport costs to dependence on transit countries and complex border procedures. These barriers limit trade competitiveness and hamper sustainable economic growth.

South-South Cooperation offers a powerful platform for LLDCs to overcome these obstacles together — by pooling knowledge, resources, and innovative solutions tailored to their shared realities.

Through SSC, LLDCs are jointly developing resilient, low-emission transport infrastructure that strengthens connectivity and supports climate goals. But infrastructure alone is not enough.

Harmonizing regulatory frameworks and streamlining transit procedures are equally vital.

SSC enables peer learning and coordinated policy reforms, as seen with the Northern Corridor’s adoption of One Stop Border Posts and Single Customs Territories — steps that have improved cargo processing and corridor efficiency.

Furthermore, digitalization is reshaping transport and logistics. The integration of satellite data, cargo tracking, and cross-border digital platforms, supported by SSC, is enhancing transparency and reducing bottlenecks — essential for modern, competitive trade systems.

From the European Union’s perspective, we are committed to supporting these efforts.

We recognize the value of strengthening regional platforms such as the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, which combines physical infrastructure upgrades like electrified railways and climate-resilient road networks with digital customs modernization tools, such as automated cargo tracking and risk management systems.

This dual approach reduces transit times and emissions while improving regulatory compliance.

The EU supports investments in hard transport infrastructure in the region and towards the South Caucasus, Türkiye and the EU, along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.

Developing this Corridor needs to take a networked approach, better connecting Central Asian countries with each other, to economic growth and cooperation in the region. .

We stand ready to provide technical assistance, capacity-building, and co-financing, respecting the leadership of LLDCs and transit partners.

Allow me to highlight examples where the EU has supported South-South and triangular cooperation to improve transport connectivity:

• Through a recently adopted regional transport programme for Central Asia, the EU assists in the development of an enabling environment for improved transport connectivity, in relation to interoperability and digitalisation of systems tariff setting, as well as regulatory alignments.
  The programme also supports the day-to-day operations of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Platform, which has been created as a mechanism to coordinate and facilitate cooperation of all stakeholders along the Corridor.
• Through the EU-UNOSSC Partnership, the EU facilitates transfer of expertise on dry port optimization, including implementation of solar-powered cold chain logistics and digitized cargo management systems in African LLDCs such as Ethiopia and Rwanda. This enables these countries to better integrate with regional and global supply chains, reducing spoilage and carbon footprints.
• The EU’s Pan-African Programme supports development of interoperable transport and customs systems by promoting common electronic data interchange standards and cross-border Single Window platforms, which allow traders to submit documents once and share them with multiple agencies.
  The programme also fosters regional capacity-building workshops on green freight corridors and low-emission vehicle technologies, advancing sustainable transport solutions adapted to African LLDCs’ specific contexts.

Our expertise in digital innovation and sustainable infrastructure complements SSC by helping develop integrated logistics platforms and low-emission networks.

We facilitate workshops, peer-learning platforms, and pilot projects that test and replicate green technologies and digital transport solutions, ensuring LLDCs can benefit from proven models.

We also see great potential in mobilizing blended finance and fostering public-private partnerships to accelerate these projects — ensuring investments deliver inclusive, sustainable benefits.

Moreover, the EU remains dedicated to promoting gender equality and social inclusion throughout these initiatives, knowing truly sustainable development leaves no one behind.

In conclusion, South-South Cooperation, supported by partners like the EU, holds tremendous promise for unlocking the trade potential of LLDCs.

By working together — LLDCs, transit countries, regional organizations, and partners — we can build transport systems that are efficient, green, and inclusive, advancing shared prosperity and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Thank you.