麻豆传媒

His Excellency Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal 

H.E. Mr. Nazar Agahanov, Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan

Excellencies

Distinguished Colleagues

I am very pleased to welcome you all to the South–South Cooperation Ministerial Meeting here in Awaza.   And we are greatly honoured and pleased to have you here, Hon’ble Prime Minister Oli.  Your presence is a testament to the importance of this meeting and to your personal commitment to promoting South-South and triangular cooperation for the benefit of the LLDCs.

I thank the United Nations Office for South–South Cooperation (UNOSSC) for their support and partnership in organizing this event.  It’s a partnership we greatly value. 

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This meeting provides a timely platform to advance our shared efforts and explore new opportunities to strengthen South–South and triangular cooperation in support of the 32 Landlocked Developing Countries. 

It is through such partnerships that we can translate the ambitions of the Awaza Programme of Action into concrete, transformative outcomes on the ground.

Excellencies, Colleagues,

LLDCs remain among the most structurally disadvantaged economies in the world. Their geographical remoteness, dependence on transit neighbors, high trade costs, low connectivity, and vulnerability to external shocks continue to constrain their development prospects. 

 Today, nearly one in five people in LLDCs live in extreme poverty.

These countries account for just 1.2 per cent of global merchandise trade and less than 1 per cent of services trade. 

Internet penetration stands at 39 per cent, half of the global average. FDI to LLDCs declined by 10 per cent last year. 
And yet, these sobering figures do not define the full story.

 LLDCs are rich in resources - both natural and human. Six of the world’s ten fastest growing economies this year are expected to be LLDCs.  

Where development gaps exist, so do powerful opportunities for investment and partnership.

Excellencies, 

LLDCs need solidarity and support from a broad and united coalition of partners. 

This includes transit neighbors, governments both from the North and the global South, the private sector, development banks, the UN development system, international and regional organizations and civil society. 

In recent years, South-South and triangular cooperation has emerged as a key driver of resilient and sustainable development for LLDCs. 
As we embark on the implementation of the Awaza Programme of Action, we must deepen and expand cooperation across the global South to drive inclusive growth and structural transformation for LLDCs.

Excellencies, 

Allow me to highlight four priority areas where South-South and triangular cooperation can have a catalytic impact:

First, we must deepen South-South cooperation to build resilient and competitive economic corridors.

 For LLDCs, connectivity is key to development. Expanding trade horizons requires investments in infrastructure, streamlined cross-border processes, and harmonized digital solutions. 

Regional Trade Agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Eurasian Economic Union, and the ASEAN Free Trade Area offer powerful frameworks to support LLDCs in expanding intra-regional trade, harmonizing customs procedures, and strengthening continent-wide value chains.

South-South cooperation can mobilize the technical expertise, financial resources, and policy coordination needed to design and implement economic corridors that are modern, efficient, and inclusive.

Second, we must enhance South-South and triangular cooperation to expand infrastructure, energy, and digital connectivity.

Digital transformation is not a luxury - it is a lifeline. LLDCs must have equitable access to infrastructure and technologies that connect them to global networks. We have global initiatives such as the ITU-led Partner2Connect Digital Coalition (P2C) which plays an important role to drive digital transformation in the hardest-to-connect communities in LLDCs. 

South-South and triangular cooperation can leverage shared innovations and solutions to deliver last-mile connectivity, accelerate digital literacy, and foster inclusive digital economies.

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In the energy sector, many LLDCs possess significant renewable potential. Cross-border energy cooperation - rooted in solidarity and shared benefit - can fast-track their energy transition and bridge access gaps. The launch of the LLDC Global Business Network yesterday here in Awaza, is a timely and strategic step. It provides a dedicated space for the private sector to align its investments with the goals of the APOA.

Third, we must reinforce development finance through South-South and triangular cooperation, especially to meet the scale and urgency of LLDCs infrastructure finance needs.

To achieve the average global density of paved roads and railways, LLDCs will need to invest around 2 per cent of their GDP annually for two decades. Traditional aid will not be able to fulfill this demand. We must harness innovative financing from regional development banks, sovereign wealth funds, and new financing instruments from the South.

 Institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the African Development Bank are uniquely placed to provide affordable, long-term capital aligned with LLDC priorities. 
Aligning these resources with the goals of APOA will unlock transformative investments across trade, climate-smart infrastructure, and digital transformation.

Fourth and finally, we must integrate South-South cooperation into national development plans to better align efforts, measure progress, and deliver lasting impact. 

To truly drive impact, South-South and triangular cooperation must be integrated into national development planning, supported by robust data, coordination mechanisms, and clear metrics for success. 

High-impact cooperation must be demand-driven, measurable, and rooted in mutual accountability.

When effectively aligned, South-South cooperation becomes a force multiplier- amplifying development outcomes, scaling innovations, and delivering tangible results where they are needed most.

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Excellencies,

The Awaza Programme of Action is not merely a roadmap - it is a call for partnership, action, and solidarity. Let us use this opportunity to strengthen South-South and triangular cooperation - to expand trade, improve connectivity, and build resilience in LLDCs.

With shared commitment and collective action, we can help LLDCs overcome their unique challenges and unlock their full potential.

I thank you.