Africa-Press – Gambia. Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow is currently representing The Gambia at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), taking place in Aqaba, Turkmenistan, from August 5 to 8, 2025.
The conference brings together UN member states, landlocked developing countries, neighboring transit countries, and development partners to address the persistent challenges faced by LLDCs. These countries, characterized by their lack of territorial access to the sea, often grapple with lower GDP and human development indicators. The forum aims to align national efforts, regional cooperation, and global policy to chart a more inclusive and resilient path toward sustainable development for LLDCs.
Held under the theme “Driving Progress Through Partnership,” the conference emphasizes the need for collaborative approaches to overcome geographic and economic constraints.
Although The Gambia is not landlocked, Vice President Jallow underscored the country’s strategic importance as a coastal Least Developed Country (LDC) with vital trade and transit connections to landlocked neighbors in the West African subregion.
In his address, VP Jallow reaffirmed The Gambia’s solidarity with LLDCs and its commitment to supporting initiatives in trade facilitation, regional integration, and infrastructure development.
“Geography should not determine destiny,” he said. “Landlocked developing countries face trade costs that are up to 74% higher than those of coastal nations.”
He emphasized the importance of The Gambia’s geographic position as a gateway to the Atlantic Ocean through the Port of Banjul, which serves as a critical trade and transit corridor for neighboring LLDCs.
“Partnerships are the cornerstone of durable solutions,” VP Jallow added. “Governments alone cannot address these multifaceted challenges. We need a robust global coalition.”
He concluded by calling on development partners, international financial institutions, and the private sector to honor their commitments and mobilize meaningful support for LLDCs.
The Gambia, he affirmed, remains committed to ensuring that no country is left behind due to its geographical limitations.
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