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Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and leader of the Nepali Delegation to the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), has said LLDCs face a complex web of challenges for trade potentials.

Lack of direct access to the seas, high transit costs, poor infrastructure, long and uncertain transit routes, limited market access, over-reliance on a narrow range of primary commodities, vulnerability to global shocks, climate change-induced disasters are among those challenges that resulted in underdeveloped and vulnerable economies of these countries. 

The Prime Minister said this while chairing the High-Level Thematic Roundtable 2: Seizing the Transformative Potential of Trade, Trade Facilitation, and Regional Integration for Landlocked Developing Countries held today under the Conference in Awaza of Turkmenistan.  

"In this interconnected and interdependent world- trade is a powerful engine of economic growth. It can significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of LLDCs, like others. But, despite their huge trade potential, LLDCs account for just over one percent of global trade in goods.  And this imbalance stems not from a lack of ambition or effort, but from structural barriers," he said in his opening remarks. 

In this context, the Awaza Programme of Action for LLDCs has come with concrete measures for turning landlocked countries into land-linked ones by building infrastructures, investing in smart trade corridors, developing transport and logistics industries, digitalizing trade and customs processes, promoting trade of ICT products and services, deepening regional integration and fostering meaningful partnerships, he apprised the meeting. 

He advised that with sincere implementation of these measures, LLDCs can harness their trade potentials for inclusive and sustainable development. "For this, we need to strengthen cooperation and partnership at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels." 

He stressed that “we must deliver on the promise to double the share of LLDCs in global trade, expand their service exports, and foster more diversified and resilient economies. "We need to implement this Program of Action to bring prosperity to more than 570 million people living in LLDCs." 

He further stressed that "trade and transit rights of the LLDCs are a moral responsibility of all" and they need greater solidarity, enhanced financial and technological support, as well as fair and equitable trade opportunities.

Echoing the urgent need for collective push for fairer trade terms and transit regimes is urgent, he stressed that "LLDCs must not be left behind in the global trading system."

He reminded the gathering that the Sevilla Commitment, adopted in June this year, also acknowledges the LLDC Programme of action and expresses a strong commitment to its full and effective implementation. 

He added that, in this context, the roundtable serves as an important reminder for urgent actions, calling for renewed commitment and global solidarity.

The meeting of the Karnali Province Council of Ministers held this morning has decided to recommend ending the sixth session of the second term of the Provincial Assembly from midnight.

The Cabinet meeting also decided to depute Provincial Secretary Dholak Raj Dhakal, based at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, as Secretary to the Ministry of Social Development, shared the provincial government spokesperson Binod Kumar Shah. 

Similarly, following the Supreme Court's order, a decision was taken to recommend to the federal government to designate Luhadah-4 as the administrative center of Junichande Rural Municipality of Jajarkot district, 

The meeting has also approved the 'Journalism Award Distribution Procedure, 2082'. 

Spokesperson Shah shared that the meeting decided to form a Karnali Province Monitoring Committee under the coordination of the Secretary of the Governance Reforms Division under the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers to monitor the implementation of the provision of an Information Officer in the provincial government offices.

For more than a decade, Nepali politics has been defined by three dominant figures: KP Sharma Oli, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal. As party chiefs and multiple-time prime ministers, they have established themselves as indomitable forces. Among the three, it now seems almost certain that Oli and Dahal will retain control of their respective parties for at least the next five years—if not longer.

In the past two weeks, the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) held their Central Committee and Standing Committee meetings, respectively. The outcomes of these meetings will have far-reaching implications, particularly regarding leadership transitions. Both Oli and Dahal have further solidified their grip by weakening and isolating potential rivals. These developments starkly contrast with the widespread public desire, especially among the youth, for a generational change in leadership.

A significant section of Nepal’s youth continues to call for immediate leadership renewal. Many believe that since the same leaders have held sway over both party and government for more than three decades and failed to deliver, new leaders should be given a chance. Having become prime minister multiple times, these leaders have used the power and resources of the state to entrench their positions. Ministerial portfolios and key appointments were handed to loyalists, while dissenting voices were sidelined.

There have also been instances where state law enforcement agencies were allegedly used to harass internal party opponents. As a result, many young leaders have either aligned themselves with top leaders or remained silent, compromising the core values of intra-party democracy and leadership handover.

The internal dynamics of major parties tell a different story altogether. Youth leaders of NC, UML and Maoist Center—who once demanded a leadership transition—are now retreating from those positions. In recent Central and Standing Committee meetings, not only did they refrain from calling for change, but many also openly endorsed the current leadership.

The UML’s Central Committee meeting cleared the way for Oli to lead the party for a third consecutive term. The party decided to amend its statute, removing the 70-year age limit and the two-term cap tailored specifically to facilitate Oli’s continuation. But more than just a policy shift, both senior and youth leaders publicly declared that there is “no alternative” to Oli. Even former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s attempt to challenge Oli by reentering active politics was thwarted; the party revoked her general membership for doing so.

Oli is now virtually assured to be re-elected party chairman at the UML’s 11th General Convention, expected later this year. Party leaders argue that Oli's leadership is essential to securing victory in the 2027 elections. In reality, he may continue leading the party as long as his health allows. Since taking the helm in 2015, Oli has consolidated power, sidelined rivals, and built a loyal inner circle. Two pivotal moments helped him secure dominance: the departure of senior leaders like Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal, and the failed leadership challenge by Bhim Rawal, who was eventually expelled. That episode sent a clear message: challenging the leadership comes with consequences. More recently, Brinda Pandey and Usha Kiran Timalsina were suspended for six months for voicing dissent, reinforcing the party’s intolerance for internal opposition.

A similar scenario unfolded in the Maoist Center’s Standing Committee meeting. Senior leader Janardhan Sharma raised the issue of leadership change, only to be rebuked by nearly the entire committee. Out of 50 members, just three supported his proposal that Dahal, who has been at the helm since the 1980s, should begin transitioning party leadership to the next generation. Rather than supporting Sharma, other members criticized him. The party issued a warning that no leader should make public statements against its leadership. “There is a growing tendency to speak against party leadership and violate party discipline,” said Maoist leader Haribol Gajurel. 

The situation in the NC remains uncertain. Party President Deuba is unlikely to amend the party statute to pursue a third term. Leaders Shekhar Koirala and Gagan Thapa appear poised to contest the presidency. A third candidate from the Deuba camp may also run, while other senior leaders, who lack serious electoral prospects, may enter the race merely to secure bargaining positions in the party or government. Despite this, Deuba remains a strong presence, and the party's top leadership appears to be consolidating its hold.

Meanwhile, in the CPN (Unified Socialist), a breakaway faction of UML, Madhav Kumar Nepal maintains tight control despite facing corruption allegations. He has publicly warned senior leader Jhala Nath Khanal to leave the party for speaking against him. Despite mounting pressure, Nepal has refused to hand over the reins to a younger generation.

With these developments, the debate around leadership handover in major Nepali parties has significantly lost momentum. Over the years, these senior leaders, each of whom has held the prime ministership multiple times, have consistently used state resources to strengthen their internal party positions and marginalize opposition. With youth leaders increasingly dependent on the senior leadership for political opportunities and resources, they remain unable, or unwilling, to mount a meaningful challenge.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that geography must no longer determine destiny. 

"With strengthened partnerships, smart investments and unwavering collective will, we can overcome limitations of 'landlockedness' and ensure economic prosperity to our people," PM Oli said while addressing the UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Turkmenistan on Tuesday.

He informed that Nepal firmly believes that regional solidarity and global cooperation are vital to bridging the development divide. "We are confident that, with the continued support of our neighbours, India and China, and the broader international community, we can transform the barriers of 'landlockedness' into gateways of opportunity," PM Oli underscored. 

“As a committed member of the LLDC family, Nepal stands ready to work with all of you, not only as a beneficiary of change, but also as a partner in shaping it,” PM Oli said.

Togetherness for driving progress 

He called for togetherness to drive progress for a future interlocked by connectivity, powered by innovation and defined by resilience, inclusion and shared prosperity.

PM Oli, however, said the LLDCs continue to face persistent structural barriers: geographical isolation, dependency on transit countries, inadequate transport networks and limited integration into regional and global markets.

These challenges are even more acute for half of the LLDCs that are also LDCs. Their very geography of 'landlockedness' continues to hinder their development. He reminded that despite two decades of journey from Almaty to Vienna Program of Action, LLDCs still grapple with infrastructure and connectivity deficits, high trade and transit costs, limited diversification and little value addition, heavy reliance on primary commodity exports, low levels of private investment, and growing vulnerability to climate change and disasters. These barriers pose severe impediments to their economic growth and development, the PM argued.

LLDCs need unlocking potential

"LLDCs are not just defined by their inherent geographical constraints. They are also defined by their potential. These countries are rich in untapped natural endowments, offering many investment opportunities. They are home to youthful and innovative populations. They are increasingly engaging in the digital economy," he PM lauded, underlining the urgency to unlock such potential.

According to him, the Awaza Programme of Action offers a renewed opportunity to address these long-standing bottlenecks and seize new pathways toward inclusive and resilient growth. But we must be clear: ambition without action will not suffice, he exhorted, highlighting the need for stronger political will, renewed and strengthened global partnership that leaves no country behind, and coordinated actions at all levels. 

The Awaza PoA outlines five clear priorities under the theme of “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, the PM shared.

"With the right policies, strong 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," PM Oli said.

In his opinion, science, technology and innovation, especially digital technologies, hold immense promise to overcome the physical limitations of LLDCs. This Conference is a call to collective resolve. It is a pathway to equity, inclusion and shared opportunity.

PM Oli underlined, "Invest in smart, sustainable, and climate-resilient infrastructure; deepen regional and subregional cooperation; harness the opportunities offered by technology to advance and accelerate development; and drive progress through inclusive global partnerships with shared responsibility."

He sought renewed commitment to convert the Awaza Programme of Action into tangible and measurable progress, for more than 570 million people who live in the LLDCs.

Awaza Programme of Action blueprint for decade

He shared that Nepal welcomed the Awaza Programme of Action as a visionary and actionable blueprint for the decade ahead. Its priorities strongly resonate with Nepal’s national goals, including our national aspiration of a “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.” 

Irrespective of being a landlocked LDC graduating next year, Nepal continues to face high transport costs, limited regional integration, and inadequate infrastructure, according to him.

Our vision is to transform Nepal from a landlocked country to a land-linked country.

The Head of the Government also informed about Nepal's investment priority like expanding highways and railways, cross-border trade routes, digital corridors, and green energy partnerships.

"We are working closely with our neighbours, India and China, to enhance connectivity and integration across multiple domains. We are also committed to aligning our efforts with regional and international initiatives to ensure that LLDC-specific vulnerabilities are addressed in broader development frameworks," he explained during the address.