Africa-Press – Eritrea. Mr. President
Mr. Secretary General
Excellencies
Distinguished delegates,
I am greatly honored to address the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries and wish to extend my delegation’s deep appreciation to the people and Government of Turkmenistan for the warm welcome and hospitality, and for organizing and hosting successfully this important international conference.
The challenges of international trade, connectivity, and economic development faced by LLDCs, comprising 32 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, have been the focus of dedicated global attention for over two decades. The Almaty Programme of Action and the Vienna Programme of Action marked important milestones in this collective effort. The Awaza Programme of Action (2024–2034) now also represents the next critical phase, consolidating past gains while addressing persistent gaps and emerging priorities.
Mr. President,
Eritrea as a transit state with a long coastline, participated in these conferences to underscore its firm conviction that solidarity and partnership among developing countries are critical for the attainment of sustainable peace and development in the spirit of South-South Cooperation.
The recent UN progress report on the implementation of the Vienna Program of Action shows that the LLDCs have made limited progress towards the much-needed structural transformation, characterized by inadequate road and rail systems, unreliable energy and communication systems and a trading system typified by a low level of diversification and low value addition.
These challenges are equally emblematic of their transit neighbors who are also facing similar infrastructural, human resource, technical challenges and financial constraints. Therefore, the need for solidarity and partnership in the implementation of the Awaza Program of Action becomes critical, necessitating a more comprehensive approach for meaningful regional cooperation that creates a solid platform for heavy investments in infrastructural and technological connectivity, value addition, as well as enhancing technical and human capacities in landlocked and transit developing countries.
Equally important is for landlocked and transit developing states to adopt their own policies to effectively navigate and address prescriptive economic policies and unfair trading systems, guided by strong political commitment to mutual respect and mutual benefits one that is grounded on and consistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including full respect for international law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Mr. President,
As part of Eritrea’s developmental aspirations, rehabilitating and building roads, communication systems, and economic programs have been among its priorities to address domestic needs and to enhance regional connectivity for better growth. Moreover, its contribution to safe navigation and maritime security cannot be overemphasized enough due to its strategic location along the Red Sea coast. Eritrea has successfully maintained peace and stability. Yet, the vision for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Horn of Africa region has been frustrated for several generations by policies of polarization, often sanctioned by external actors, and this will continue unless the countries in the region adopt a strategy that fosters political goodwill and sound policies to address all the impediments to regional cooperation.
Eritrea has been stressing moving to a regional cooperation and economic integration among countries of the region would be helpful to unleash the full potential of the sub-region to achieve tangible progress in improving infrastructural links, engaging in joint development projects, as well as harmonizing and streamlining policies and procedures on the movements of goods and people. This should be our commitment to our citizens to live in peace, prosperity, and dignity.
I thank you!
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