AWAZA, Turkmenistan

SRSG for Central Asia and Head of UNRCCA Mr. Kaha Imnadze participated in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), held from 5 to 8 August 2025 in Awaza, Turkmenistan.

Held under the theme “Driving Progress through Partnerships,” the conference brought together global leaders, policymakers, and development partners to address the specific needs and challenges facing the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries.

Mr. Imnadze took part in a number of high-level engagements, including meetings of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, with the leadership of Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as consultations dedicated to regional issues concerning Central Asia. The discussions focused on the prospects for enhanced cooperation between the Central Asian countries and the United Nations, as well as on strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing connectivity, and addressing shared challenges such as climate resilience and trade facilitation.

Mr. Imnadze also contributed to several thematic forums and side events organized on the margins of the conference, highlighting UNRCCA’s unwavering commitment to preventive diplomacy, inclusive governance, and sustainable development.

During the Parliamentary Forum on 4 August, Mr. Imnadze emphasized the critical role of parliaments in advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. He underscored the relevance of UNRCCA’s mandate to the priorities of LLDCs and cited Central Asia as a model of constructive regional cooperation in areas such as water management, gender equality, and youth engagement.

At the Youth Forum, held from 4 to 6 August under the theme “Building Bridges for LLDC Futures,” Mr. Imnadze called for increased investment in youth-led initiatives and inclusive platforms, including those aligned with the UN Youth, Peace and Security agenda. He reaffirmed that young people are vital partners in shaping peaceful, resilient, and sustainable societies.

On 7 August, during the Women Leaders’ Forum, Mr. Imnadze advocated for gender equality and the empowerment of women as pillars of sustainable development. He highlighted the role of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus, established in 2020 with the support of UNRCCA and UNDP as effective regional platform for enhancing women’s participation in peacebuilding and addressing persistent barriers such as limited access to education and economic opportunity in LLDCs.

On the same day, Mr. Imnadze participated in the high-level side event “International Year of Peace and Trust: The Momentum to Implement SDG 16,” which was organized by Turkmenistan and UNRCCA, in cooperation with UNDP and IAEA. In his statement, Mr. Imnadze stressed that peace, trust, and inclusive governance are foundational to achieving sustainable development. He reaffirmed that UNRCCA will continue supporting the countries of Central Asia through dialogue, trust-building, and multilateral cooperation in addressing common challenges.

The LLDC3 Conference concluded with the adoption of the Awaza Programme of Action (2024–2034) - a forward-looking framework aimed at accelerating sustainable development in LLDCs. Key outcomes also included the establishment of Regional Agricultural Research Hubs, an Infrastructure Investment Finance Facility, a dedicated WTO Work Programme for LLDCs, and a new Climate Negotiating Body.