Oriented on making people closer

In early August 2025, the picturesque Caspian coastline of Turkmenistan’s Avaza will become the epicenter of global attention as it hosts the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC). The event, themed “Progress through Partnership,” is intended to be a key platform for developing strategies to address the challenges facing the 32 landlocked countries.

Geopolitics without a coastline

Geographical location has always played a decisive role in determining the fate of states, their economic development and geopolitical influence. Doctrines of geopolitics often contrast the concepts of thalassocracy (sea power) with tellurocracy (land power).

Thalassocratic powers, such as the historical British Empire or the modern United States, have traditionally relied on control of sea routes to facilitate trade, protect interests and project power. Access to the world's oceans provides unimpeded access to global markets, reduces transport costs and facilitates the development of seaports, which become hubs of economic activity.

On the other hand, tellurocratic states, which include landlocked developing countries, face a fundamental geoeconomic constraint. The lack of direct access to port facilities means dependence on transit through neighboring countries for foreign trade. This entails increased transportation costs, delays, bureaucratic barriers and, as a consequence, a decrease in the competitiveness of their goods in world markets.

G7 hypothesis: is maritime access the key to prosperity?

Discussions about the influence of geography on economic development are not new. However, they are once again coming to the forefront in light of modern geopolitical realities. The current G7 summit in Canada, where the leaders of the world's leading economies discuss global challenges and development paths, has once again indirectly raised the issue of the advantages of countries with access to the sea.

Although there is no direct statement that "countries with access to the world sea are richer and more developed", historical data and the modern economic map of the world demonstrate a stable correlation between access to maritime trade routes and the level of GDP, infrastructure development and integration into global supply chains.

Countries such as Singapore, the Netherlands, and the Republic of Korea, despite limited natural resources, have achieved incredible economic success largely due to their strategic maritime location and the development of port infrastructure. Their sea terminals are global logistics hubs, attracting investment and creating millions of jobs.

In comparison, many LLDCs, such as Nepal, Bolivia, Chad, Afghanistan, face chronic poverty, low economic diversification, and dependence on commodity exports. Their economies are highly vulnerable to fluctuations in world market prices and changes in the foreign policies of transit countries.

The Avaza conference: facts and concrete steps

The Avaza Conference is being held to address these systemic problems. It builds on the results of two previous conferences (Almaty, Kazakhstan, 2003 and Vienna, Austria, 2014) and is intended to be a starting point for a new decade of partnership.

Key areas and expected results

For landlocked developing countries, transportation costs can account for up to 50% of the value of exports, compared to 1% for countries with access to the sea. The Trans-Afghan Railway Corridor (TAPI – not only a gas pipeline, but also a transport corridor), which will connect Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, provides Afghanistan with vital access to the seaports of the Indian Ocean.

This is not just an economic project, but also an instrument of regional stabilization. The Avaza discussions will consider similar initiatives in Africa (for example, new railway lines in East Africa for Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi) and Latin America (integration corridors for Bolivia and Paraguay).

Simplifying trade procedures and cutting red tape

According to research, reducing transit times by just one day can increase LLDC exports by 10%. Establishing “single windows” at border crossings and harmonizing customs procedures between landlocked countries and their transit neighbors. For example, the World Bank’s Trade Facilitation Program (TFP) actively supports trade facilitation efforts in regions such as Central Asia. The conference will facilitate bilateral and multilateral agreements to minimize delays and reduce costs.

Diversifying economies and developing productive capacities

Many LLDCs are overly dependent on the export of one or two commodities, making them vulnerable to price shocks. Developing the digital economy and IT sector in countries such as Rwanda, or creating special economic zones that attract manufacturing for export, are key avenues to diversify and increase the resilience of their economies. Avaza will provide a platform for sharing best practices and attracting investment in non-oil sectors.

Human capital development and technology transfer

Access to education and modern technologies is critical for sustainable development. In this context, the establishment of regional centers for professional training and research, student and faculty exchanges are of particular importance. Turkmenistan’s initiative to establish a Regional Climate Technology Center for Central Asia is a prime example of such activities that could be expanded to other LLDCs.

Turkmenistan’s role as host

The choice of Avaza as the venue for the conference is not accidental. Turkmenistan, occupying a strategic position in Central Asia, is actively promoting initiatives to develop transport corridors linking the region to world markets via the Caspian Sea. Geographical advantages plus investments in port infrastructure (primarily in the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port) make it a natural and key bridge for transit. Holding such a conference in Turkmenistan underlines the country’s commitment to regional and international cooperation, as well as its willingness to share experiences and opportunities for the common good.

Looking to the future

The Avaza Conference is more than just a diplomatic and economic event. It is a chance for 32 countries, representing some 500 million people, to rethink their development strategies, strengthen partnerships, and find innovative solutions to overcome geographic barriers.

The third such forum held under the auspices of the United Nations reinforces the belief that even without direct access to the world's oceans, with smart policies, regional cooperation, and international investment, countries can build a prosperous future integrated into the global economy.

And "Progress through Partnerships" is not just a slogan. It is a roadmap to sustainable development for each of the landlocked developing countries.

Jumadurdy POTJIMOV

Photo: orient.tm