51吃瓜

H.E. Mr. Diego Pary Rodríguez, Permanent Representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the United Nations and Chair of the LLDC Group,

Excellencies, 
 
I thank you, Mr. Chair, for convening this timely meeting. 

I also extend my congratulations to you, Excellency, on assuming the Chairmanship of the Group for the 2025-2026 term, as well as to the new Bureau members, Kyrgyzstan, the People’s Republic of Lao, Eswatini, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Your leadership will be critical in building upon the momentum generated  by this Group to achieve impactful outcomes for the LLDCs.

I would also like to convey my deep appreciation to Her Excellency, Ambassador Mokhawa of Botswana, and the outgoing Bureau members, for their outstanding leadership.  Under their guidance, the Group has delivered tangible outcomes and significantly raised its prominence  on the international stage.

Excellencies,

Over the past two years, the Group has made significant progress.

A major milestone was achieved with the adoption of the new Programme of Action for LLDCs on 24 December, a forward-looking and ambitious document that reflects the tireless dedication of our negotiators.

Notable strides have also been made in climate action and disaster risk reduction. For the first time, the Programme of Action includes a robust agenda on climate resilience and action. We have also initiated steps to establish the LLDCs as a unified negotiating group under the UNFCCC processes.

Progress has been made in trade as well. The WTO Committee on Trade and Development held its first focused session on the trade-related challenges  of LLDCs, an important step towards deeper integration into the multilateral trading system.

Furthermore, the Group has also successfully incorporated its priorities into the FFD4 process, including the establishment of the Infrastructure Investment Financing Facility for LLDCs.

Excellencies, 

Looking ahead, 2025 will be a pivotal year for the Group.

Allow me to highlight three major priorities.

First, we must ensure the success of the LLDC3 Conference. I urge all of you to advocate for the participation of your Heads of State, senior policymakers, private sector representatives, civil society, parliamentarians, and youth leaders. 

Their  engagement is crucial for elevating our collective voice and demonstrating unity, to drive its implementation.

Second, we must swiftly begin the implementation of the new POA. The upcoming plenary meeting to be held on 28 January for the adoption of the Programme of Action is an important opportunity to demonstrate our shared commitment in this regard .

The Programme of Action outlines four critical deliverables. My Office is already working on preparations to implement these, including the establishment of a high-level panel on freedom of transit, feasibility reports on Regional Agriculture Research Hubs, and the Infrastructure Investment Financing Facility for the 80th session of the General Assembly.

We are also coordinating with the UN system to ensure the implementation of the Programme of Action, including convening an Inter-Agency Consultative Group meeting and the development of a dedicated Roadmap and Results Framework.

To assist LLDCs directly, we are developing Mainstreaming Guidelines for the new POA. We have also already begun a project under the Agenda 2030 Subfund to contribute to implementing commitments to address transport and trade costs.

Third, the forthcoming FFD4 process offers a critical opportunity to secure financial commitments and support for LLDCs. 

I encourage the Chair and the Group to take an active role in the third PrepCom from 10-14 February.

On our part, we are planning an event with MIGA in February and will actively engage at the World Bank and IMF Spring meetings to ensure the LLDC agenda remains at the forefront of development financing discussions.

Excellencies, 

My Office remains committed to ensuring the Group’s success in 2025 and beyond. We will spearhead the critical preparations for LLDC3, forge bold partnerships to implement the new Programme of Action, and champion your priorities at every global forum. 

By harnessing our collective strength, we can unlock transformative opportunities for the 590 million people across the 32 LLDCs—building a future that is equitable, sustainable, and prosperous. 
I thank you.

Agenda Item 4: Briefing on LLDC3 Preparations by Ms. Rabab Fatima

Excellencies,

Allow me now to turn to the updates on our preparations for the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3). 

We have discussed with DGACM and other relevant departments and with the Host Country on the most suitable timeframe for convening LLDC3 and we are currently engaged in consultation that we hope will allow us to share with you dates for the Conference very soon.

once we announce these dates, Preparations for the Conference will rapidly advance, including the finalization of the Host Country Agreement, technical planning missions, and the issuance of formal invitations from the Secretary-General to Heads of State and Government. 

A new modalities resolution will also be proposed to reflect the new host and date for the Conference.

Your role in advocating for the participation at the highest level will be essential for the success of LLDC3. The Conference represents a unique opportunity to bring attention to our priorities and foster partnerships and meaningful action on the ground to address the challenges as landlocked developing countries and harness the opportunity that they represent for the prosperity of their societies, their regions and the world.

The success of the Conference is a critical priority for this Group, and I assure you of my full commitment to it.

I thank you.