Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that Nepal's high-level participation in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Awaza city of Turkmenistan reflected our serious concerns towards the challenges facing LLDCs.
Taking time out at today's meeting of the House of Representatives, PM Oli briefed about the Nepali delegation's visit to the conference which was held from August 5-7.
Oli appraised, "Nepal has raised voice in the interest of the landlocked developing countries in the international forum. Nepal's participation and address in the conference's major sessions and thematic roundtable had not only enhanced Nepal's international image but also conveyed the message that Nepal could also assume the leadership role."
The PM expressed his confidence that the formal and informal addresses and bilateral meetings during the conference have further strengthened Nepal's relations with its friendly nations and contributed to consolidate cooperation between Nepal and the United Nations.
Stating that the conference was successful in identifying the ways and means to address the challenges like transit related inefficiencies facing landlocked countries like Nepal and endorsing the Awaza Program of Action, PM Oli shared that the participants in the conference affirmed their commitment to fulfill the LLDCs' aspirations for development.
The conference was attended by representatives of around 100 countries including the Head of the States, Head of the Governments, General-Secretary of the United Nations and President of the United Nations' 79th General Assembly.
PM Oli further informed the House that he addressed the plenary of the conference as the Chair of the group of the least developed countries and on the behalf of Nepal and shed lights on the challenges faced by LLDCs.
According to him, his addresses were focused on raising issues facing the LLDCs such as lack of infrastructures, limited market access, dependence on primary-products export, high transit costs, low foreign investment and adverse impacts of climate change.
"I emphasized the need to enhance mutual cooperation and partnership among the LLDCs and called on the development partners for increased support to resolve these issues" Oli mentioned, recalling his address to the high-level conference.
"In my address as the Prime Minister of Nepal, I highlighted Nepal's efforts towards promotion of cross-border connectivity through development of climate-resilient infrastructures, expansion of highways and railways, construction of trade corridors and green energy corridors. I also urged neighbouring countries, development partners and donor agencies to provide additional support towards our journey," said Oli.
Oli, in the inaugural of the high-level thematic roundtable themed 'Seizing the Transformative Potential of Trade, Trade Facilitation and Regional Integration for LLDCs' which he co-chaired, highlighted the challenges LLDCs are facing due to lack of direct sea access and high transport costs.
He said that he pressed for effective and concrete actions to improve the living standard of around 600 million people in these countries.
While addressing another thematic roundtable themed 'Structural Transformation, Diversification and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as Drivers of Prosperity in LLDCs' which he co-chaired, Oli urged the LLDCs to leverage STI for increasing productivity, mobilizing resources, creating employment opportunism and increasing integration into global value chains to bring about structural transformation in these countries.
In another roundtable titled 'Enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and addressing vulnerability to climate change', Oli pointed out the need to increase LDDCs' access to climate funds, develop effective adaptation measures, utilize the Loss and Found Fun, build capacity and facilitate technology transfer.
Likewise, in another thematic roundtable themed 'Building sustainable infrastructure, strengthening connectivity and promoting unfettered transit systems for LDDCs, Oli underlined the importance of strategic partnership among transit countries, development partners and international communities for the sustainable development of the LLDCs.
He saw the need for innovative financial mechanisms, technology transfer and capacity building programs tailored to LLDCs specific requirements.
Furthermore, the Head of the Government apprised the House that he delivered his address as a key speaker in the high-level roundtable sessions such as 'Glacial Melt and Beyond: Unraveling the Climate Challenge impacting LLDCs' and 'Promoting regional security and cooperation through enhanced trade and transport connectivity'.
PM Oli also notified about the bilateral meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and other dignitaries on the sidelines of the conference.
