New York: Amid calls from landlocked developing countries for more transportation infrastructure and transit corridors, one speaker at this morning's round-table discussion at the Third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries encouraged those countries to use existing international instruments to enable smoother transit.
According to EMM, the theme of the round table was "Building sustainable infrastructure, strengthening connectivity, and promoting unfettered transit systems for landlocked developing countries." Umberto de Pretto, Secretary-General of the International Road Transport Union, noted that he lives in a landlocked country called Switzerland, whose experience demonstrates that geography does not dictate the future. He encouraged landlocked developing countries to consider solutions beyond physical infrastructure.
Billions are being spent on building roads, but it is futile if drivers are waiting at borders for not just hours or days, but weeks, he pointed out. "We have the audacity to talk of sustainable development, but a truck blocked at a border is the antithesis of sustainable development," he emphasized. When drivers are held hostage, waiting in long lines to get to the other side, economies are stopped. As for the environment, trucks are idling at borders, burning fuel and emitting carbon dioxide due to inefficiencies in border management.
Other speakers at the round table drew attention to the key role that transit corridors can play. Emile Zerbo, Minister of State for Territorial Administration and Mobility of Burkina Faso, highlighted the major structural challenges his country faces due to its landlocked position. He pointed out that transit costs for landlocked countries are 35 per cent higher than for coastal states, emphasizing the need for regional transport corridors, interconnected infrastructure, and mechanisms for cross-border cooperation.
Fatou Haidara, Senior Director and Deputy Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), stressed the importance of climate-smart and resilient infrastructure. Transport corridors are not simply roads or rails, but economic lifelines that can help reduce logistic costs, shorten transit times, and improve business predictability. Digital connectivity is another crucial factor that can enable landlocked developing countries to reach global markets.
Leila Batyrbekova, Founder of the Europe and Central Asia Transport and Trade Association, spoke about the challenges of being landlocked and called for the creation of more and better infrastructure. She emphasized the importance of maintaining infrastructure and improving soft infrastructure through harmonization of custom procedures and digitalization.
In her closing remarks, Madina Sissoko Dembele, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure of Mali, called for innovative resources to ensure access to global markets. She noted that transit costs can be as high as 70 per cent of total transport costs for landlocked developing countries, highlighting the need for partnerships and synergies of action.
Several landlocked developing countries echoed these sentiments, highlighting the obstacles they face and their plans for improving connectivity. Lesotho, Laos, Zimbabwe, and Zambia were among the nations that discussed their specific challenges and efforts to enhance regional connectivity.
Gateway countries also outlined their efforts to connect with their landlocked neighbors. Angola, the United Republic of Tanzania, Eritrea, and Bulgaria highlighted various initiatives aimed at enhancing transport connectivity and digital infrastructure.
The representative of the European Union pointed out that physical infrastructure alone is not enough, emphasizing the need for human-centered digitalization, streamlined border management, and harmonized customs procedures. Poland also advocated for quality and resilient infrastructure, drawing attention to a 2023 General Assembly resolution on infrastructure connectivity.
Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, called for massive investment to close the estimated $500 billion finance gap for least developed countries, stressing the need for financing mechanisms that pose no additional burden, cooperation anchored in solidarity, and partnerships centered on mutual benefit.