Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) lack territorial access to the sea, leaving them dependent on transit neighbors for a route to world markets.

This geographic disadvantage drives up transport costs, introduces avoidable delays, and exposes LLDCs to any political or economic instability along those corridors. The results are stark: Average transport costs are more than twice those of neighboring coastal states. Export opportunities shrink, foreign direct investment falls, and economic growth slows. When a transit country is itself a developing economy—often the case—intraregional trade remains modest. We are at a pivotal moment for the 32 LLDCs across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. Home to over 600 million people, LLDCs face steep development hurdles due to lack of sea access, geographical isolation, and trade costs that are 30% higher than those of coastal countries. To spotlight these challenges, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution proclaiming August 6 as the International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries. The first celebration of this Day will take place during the Third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in 2025.

Links:
Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries