Landlocked Countries Seek to Overcome Geography Gap with Smarter Infrastructure and Logistics

Strategic Insights -

As the world's landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) face significant challenges in their efforts to participate in global trade, a UN conference underway in Turkmenistan is aiming to help them overcome these obstacles and transform their economies. With 32 LLDCs making up over 7% of the world's population but accounting for just 1.2% of global merchandise trade in 2024, the need for change is clear.

Key Takeaways:

  • The world's 32 LLDCs lack direct access to seaports, relying on longer, more complex routes to reach international markets, driving up costs and reducing competitiveness.
  • Geography is not the only hurdle, as many LLDCs struggle with outdated infrastructure and limited use of digital tools that could speed up sluggish transport times.
  • The Awaza Programme of Action for 2024-2034 aims to change this reality by promoting smarter logistics, streamlined systems, and stronger partnerships with transit countries.
  • Only 11 of the 32 LLDCs have joined the UN-backed TIR system, which allows goods to move from origin to destination in sealed compartments under a mutually recognized customs procedure.
  • New technologies offer additional ways to simplify cargo movement, such as digital cargo tracking and electronic TIR carnets, also known as 'merchandise passports'.
  • Climate change is compounding the problem, damaging roads, disrupting supply chains, and threatening fragile infrastructure with floods, droughts, and extreme weather.
  • The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has developed a transport infrastructure stress-testing tool that factors in climate risks, and an online platform overlaying trade routes and climate hazards on a map to support smarter investment decisions.

Statistics:

  • 32 LLDCs account for over 7% of the world's population but only 1.2% of global merchandise trade.
  • 11 LLDCs have joined the UN-backed TIR system.
  • Over 3.5 million transport operators in more than 100 countries are represented by the International Road Transport Union (IRU).

Sources:

  • (https://www.un.org/ohrlls/content/landlocked-developing-countries)
  • (https://www.un.org/en/landlocked)
  • (https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/lldc3_connectivity_track_-_transport_and_transit.pdf)
  • (https://www.un.org/sg/)
  • (https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2025-08-05/secretary-generals-remarks-the-press-conference-the-third-united-nations-conference-landlocked-developing-countries)
  • (https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2025-08-05/secretary-generals-remarks-the-press-conference-the-third-united-nations-conference-landlocked-developing-countries)