Awaza Prepares to Host UN Meet on Landlocked Nations

Flags of the United Nations and Turkmenistan being raised in Awaza on Sunday, ahead of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3).

In the city of Awaza, where the Caspian Sea meets the desert, UN and Turkmen flags were raised on Sunday ahead of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), as final preparations continue to welcome world leaders and delegates for a week of high-level talks focused on advancing development in some of the world’s most geographically disadvantaged nations.

More than 20 heads of state and government, along with around 3,000 delegates from international organisations, civil society, youth groups, academia, and the private sector, are expected to attend the conference.

At the flag-raising ceremony, Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov formally welcomed participants. “Welcome to Awaza. I wish all participants success in the Conference,” he said.

UN High Representative Rabab Fatima expressed hope that the gathering would help “strengthen and expand partnerships among nations.”

The opening ceremony, set for Tuesday, will be attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who is arriving from Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he addressed the newly inaugurated Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan.

“This Centre symbolises a new era of cooperation in Central Asia – grounded in shared priorities and solutions,” he said.

Warning of “complex and interlinked challenges” such as stalled poverty reduction, rising hunger, and accelerating climate impacts, he noted that Central Asia is already experiencing melting glaciers, shrinking water supplies, and growing trade barriers.

The Centre, he added, can become “a vital pioneer” for implementing the Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries, turning geographic constraints into opportunities through regional cooperation.

Awaza, a national tourist zone on Turkmenistan’s Caspian coast, has been transformed into a global forum.

Final deliveries of water stations, security scanners, digital screens, and technical equipment continued on Sunday at the large sports complex-turned-conference venue. UN technical staff and local teams have been working around the clock to set up cameras, plenary halls, and logistics for dozens of side events.

“A massive preparatory effort has been carried out jointly with the UN to create the necessary conditions for delegates and all participants,” said Aksoltan Atayeva, Turkmenistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN. “We take our responsibility seriously and are doing everything possible to ensure the best conditions and a successful event.”

In a nearby pavilion, participating countries are setting up exhibitions highlighting progress in transport, energy, and communications.

“The Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline are among the key projects,” said Annaberdi Kashanov at the Turkmenistan pavilion.

There are 32 landlocked developing countries worldwide, home to over 500 million people. Many are also among the world’s least developed countries, facing structural barriers such as high transport costs, limited market access, and increased vulnerability to climate shocks.

Robust infrastructure and improved regional connectivity remain essential to overcoming these challenges and integrating landlocked countries into the global economy.

The LLDC3 conference aims to foster global partnerships that accelerate inclusive and sustainable development for landlocked nations.