Landlocked Countries Confront Unique Challenges in Maritime Access and Trade

Landlocked countries face significant obstacles when it comes to accessing international markets and conducting trade. These nations rely on neighboring countries for maritime access, which can lead to increased transportation costs, congestion, and delays. Ethiopia, a landlocked country, pays Djibouti almost $2 billion per year for port services, accounting for one-quarter of Djibouti's GDP. The country's reliance on Djibouti for trade has a significant impact on its economy, with approximately 95% of its external trade traveling through Djibouti's port.

Key Takeaways:

• Landlocked countries face significant challenges in accessing international markets and conducting trade, including high transportation costs, congestion, and delays.
• Ethiopia pays Djibouti almost $2 billion per year for port services, accounting for one-quarter of Djibouti's GDP.
• The country's reliance on Djibouti for trade has a significant impact on its economy, with approximately 95% of its external trade traveling through Djibouti's port.
• The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) convened in Awaza, Turkmenistan, with the theme "Driving Progress through Partnerships," focusing on enhancing cooperation, trade facilitation, and infrastructure investment.
• Ethiopia stressed the need for a renewed commitment to an inclusive, transparent, and effective global partnership to enable Landlocked Developing Countries to overcome their unique challenges and achieve their full potential for sustainable development.
• The Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) for the Decade 2024-2034 aims to support the development aspirations of the 32 LLDCs located in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.
• International assistance, such as development aid and investments in transportation infrastructure, is essential for enhancing access to international markets and promoting economic growth for landlocked countries.
• Ethiopia emphasized the need to strengthen regional integration, facilitate trade, and invest in infrastructure to create connectivity among states within the same region.
• The country called for a significant increase in international financing for infrastructure development and advocated for a renewed commitment to an inclusive, transparent, and effective global partnership.

Statistics:

• Ethiopia pays Djibouti almost $2 billion per year for port services, accounting for one-quarter of Djibouti's GDP.
• Approximately 95% of Ethiopia's external trade travels through Djibouti's port.
• The Awaza Programme of Action was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 24 December 2024 under resolution A/RES/79/233.
• Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) are located in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, with a combined population of over 600 million people.
• The Awaza Programme of Action aims to support the development aspirations of the 32 LLDCs for the Decade 2024-2034.

Sources:

• "Ethiopian Maritime Authority 2023 Report"
• "Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's speech to the House of People's Representatives"
• "The Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) for the Decade 2024-2034"
• "The United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/79/233"
• "The Ethiopian Herald, Copyright 2025. All rights reserved."