Awaza, Turkmenistan – 7 August 2025
ECO Secretary General Dr. Asad M. Khan addressed the Plenary Meeting of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), underscoring the crucial role of ECO in enhancing transport connectivity and infrastructure among its seven landlocked member states.
In his statement, the Secretary General emphasized that while notable progress has been achieved, persistent challenges continue to hinder landlocked developing countries from fully realizing their economic potential. “Infrastructure bottlenecks and limited access to global markets remain significant obstacles, requiring increased support and collective action at bilateral, regional, and international levels,” he noted.
Aligning his remarks with the Awaza Program of Action (APA), the Secretary General reiterated ECO’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through deeper regional cooperation. He stressed the importance of adopting an inclusive development agenda, particularly in financing connectivity infrastructure, to ensure that all LLDCs benefit equitably from progress and development initiatives.
The Secretary General also called for robust international support, especially for LLDCs, to enable their effective integration into regional and global economies. He underscored that strong partnerships are indispensable to overcoming structural challenges and achieving long-term, inclusive growth.
ECO remains firmly committed to working with its member states, UN structures, partners, and the international community to ensure that landlocked developing countries can overcome geographical constraints and fully participate in the global economy.
