Key Issues
While international trade has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, the landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) are still unable to reap the benefits of globalization for achieving their development objectives.
The continued marginalization of LLDCs in global markets is due to several factors, above all the lack of territorial access to the sea, geographical isolation and remoteness from world markets, as well as high transaction costs due to transit transport operations. Slow economic growth prevents these countries from reaching internationally agreed targets on poverty reduction. As a result, they are among the poorest in the world.
In order to stop the process of marginalization and impoverishment, both LLDCs and their development partners need to adequately address the development challenges of this group of countries.
Purpose of the event
The event will bring together Ministers and high officials of the LLDCs with the objective being to:
- Strengthening UNCTAD's role in addressing the problems faced by LLDCs.
- Analyze progress in the Doha Development Round of trade negotiations, in particular its implications for LLDCs.
- Exchange views on the necessary steps for a successful mid-term review of the Almaty Program of Action.
- Coordinate positions on issues of common interest at the multilateral level.
- Increase the awareness of bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as relevant international organizations with regard to the specific problems and needs of LLDCs.
Expected outcome/deliverables
The ministerial meeting is expected to adopt a ministerial communiqué which:
- reflects the positions of the LLDCs at the multilateral level;
- provides guidance for the group's future work, particularly for strengthening cooperation among LLDCs; and
- formulates common views on issues of specific interests to LLDCs, in particular with regard to the outcome of UNCTAD XII, the negotiations under the Doha Development Round and the preparation of the mid-term review of the Almaty Programme of Action.
Contact:
Günter Fischer
UNCTAD
Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes
Tel.: +41-22-917 5901
Fax.: +41-22-917 0046
e-mail: gunter.fischer
unctad.org