Latest news with #3rdUNConferenceonLandlockedDevelopingCountries
Maroc
4 days ago
- Business
- Maroc
UN Conference on LLDCs: Official Pleads for Integrated Transport Corridors to Promote Connectivity
Overcoming geographical isolation of landlocked developing countries starts with large-scale investment in integrated, multimodal transport corridors, Adil Bahi, Director of Transport Strategy, Management, and Coordination at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics said on Thursday in Awaza, Turkmenistan. Speaking at a round table organized as part of the 3rd UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Bahi stressed that major investment for this purpose should concern integrated transport corridors combining roads, railways, dry ports, and logistics platforms. To bridge the connectivity gap in LLDCs, Bahi advocated accelerating the development of multimodal infrastructure. The official also emphasized the importance of innovation and financing, noting that the latter remains a major obstacle. He thus called for better integration of transport projects into climate financing mechanisms, particularly those supporting rail infrastructure, multimodal logistics, and low-emission freight corridors. Highlighting the significance of the Royal Initiative to facilitate access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, which will help these countries benefit from Moroccan infrastructure, Bahi reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to working hand in hand with LLDCs and all partners to transform geographical constraints into corridors of opportunity based on solid infrastructure, an ambitious vision, and shared prosperity. In terms of institutional and technical capacity-building, the Moroccan official conveyed the Kingdom's willingness to support skill development efforts, particularly through its engineering, logistics, and training institutions, in favor of LLDCs willing to develop and manage cross-border transport systems. With regard to the digitization of border procedures and logistic chains, Bahi spotlighted Morocco's significant investments in port community systems and digital freight traceability, calling for harmonizing technical standards and joint corridor governance. The Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held on August 5-8, aims to rethink the development path of these landlocked countries. It provides a platform for exchange between high-level delegations, international officials, investors, and organizations to discuss, in particular, devising strategies to fully integrate the specific challenges of these countries into global policies, investment plans, and perspectives related to the sustainable development agenda. The first edition was held in August 2003 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, while the second took place in November 2014 in Vienna, Austria. (MAP: 07 August 2025)
Maroc
4 days ago
- Politics
- Maroc
Ambassador Hilale Highlights Royal Atlantic Initiative's Role in Sahel Countries' Development
Morocco's ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, President of the 22nd session of the UN High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation, Omar Hilale, stated, on Wednesday 06 August in Awaza, Turkmenistan, that the Kingdom of Morocco continues to provide tangible support to African landlocked countries, under the Wise Leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him. Speaking at the Ministerial Meeting on South-South Cooperation, organized as part of the 3rd UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (August 5-8), Hilale pointed out that this support is taking shape by strengthening South-South and triangular development projects that effectively contribute to improving the lives of beneficiaries and enhancing their development capacities. He added that this commitment has been embodied through several initiatives, most notably the initiative launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to enable Sahel countries to access the Atlantic Ocean. This initiative represents a strategic lever for transforming the economies of Sahel countries and aims to lay new foundations for cooperation and build highways for joint development by sharing Morocco's experience and making its roads, railways and ports infrastructure available to these countries, he said. After reaffirming Morocco's solidarity with countries in special situations, namely landlocked countries, Hilale said that this meeting provides a reminder and a confirmation that solidarity with landlocked countries shall remain at the core of Morocco's action. He also called to build on the momentum generated by the event, to achieve the ambition to move from 'landlocked to land-linked countries' and correct the double injustice that these countries are facing, being developing and landlocked countries. He noted that the Ministerial Meeting is both timely and important to showcase the key role of South-South and triangular cooperation in catalysing sustainable, resilient, and transformative development of landlocked countries, deepening regional integration and in leveraging science, technology, and innovation to accelerate structural economic transformation. He emphasized that the High-level Committee and its Bureau are aware and follow up closely on the development challenges and opportunities facing landlocked developing countries, reaffirming the commitment to continue promoting and advancing this agenda through relevant global and regional fora. Hilale also called to leverage all adequate and sustainable financial support, including innovative financing mechanisms, adding that the engagement of regional organizations, the United Nations development system, international financial institutions, the private sector and academic institutions is essential to ensure the relevance, coherence and sustainability of South-South initiatives. (MAP: 07 August 2025)
