Speaking at the Monday parliamentary forum of the Third United Nations Conference on the LLDC, the senior UN leaders stressed that political will, twinned by a national legislative action, is essential if a new development plan for a decade is to make a real difference.
There are 32 of these countries in the world, which are home to more than half a billion people. Many are also among the least developed in the world, hampered by high transport costs, limited access to global markets and increased vulnerability to climatic impacts.
Cost burden
“These challenges are persistent and structural,” said Rabab Fatima high Who directs the office to the LLDC champion. “They result not only from the abandonment of limited infrastructure, close export bases and lack of access to finances.”
The figures, she said, tell an austere story: the LLDC represent seven% of the world’s population, but only one percent of world GDP. Trade costs are 30% higher than for coastal states. Only 61% of LLDC populations have access to electricity, compared to 92% worldwide – and less than 40% are connected to the Internet.
“These are not just statistics. They reflect real human challenges, “said Ms. Fatima.
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres (on the left), meets President Serdar Gurbangulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan, during his visit to the third United Nations Conference on developing countries without coast in Awaza.
Be “Champions of Change”
She described the Awaza action program As “milestone” and “a clear roadmap” to help transform the structural drawbacks into opportunities. But she pointed out that the delivery of its objectives requires action at the national level.
“Parliaments have a decisive role,” said Ms. Fatima. It urged legislators to align national strategies on the program, to secure funding, to promote trade and integration, to support good governance and to train parliamentary groups dedicated to implementation.
“You are legislators, you are budget manufacturers – and change champions. Your leadership is essential to make sure that the Awaza program offers tangible and sustainable results for the 600 million LLDC people, “she told delegates.
Fundamental role
President of the United Nations General Assembly Philled yang has echoed his message, stressing that “parliaments are essential to translate global commitments into measurable national progress”.
He stressed that parliaments provide the legal framework for development in fields such as infrastructure, innovation and trade – and that they also have stock market channels for key sectors such as education, health care and climate action.
Addressing the urgency of environmental responsibility, Mr. Yang quoted the advice of advice in July 2025 of the International Court of Justice (Icj), who said that climate action is a legal duty of all states.
Stronger cooperation
“Parliaments are monitoring government performance and ensuring the effective use of public funds,” said Mr. Yang. “Beyond politics and budgets, they are the bridge between the State and the citizens.”
He also called for a stronger-regionally and global inter-parliamentary cooperation-to meet the shared and specific challenges faced by the LLDC.
In conclusion, Mr. Yang reaffirmed the role of the United Nations General Assembly as “Parliament of humanity”, determined to follow progress and maintain the LLDC on the agenda of global development.
“Strengthen this partnership between national parliaments and our global institutions,” he said, “so that we can keep the promise of sustainable development-a promise based on peace, prosperity and dignity for everyone, everywhere.”
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
