Challenges

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic had negatively impacted the transport and logistics systems. Some of the impacts include the closure of state borders and the imposition of restrictions on the movement of people and goods that affect the smooth functioning of transport systems; diversion of resources from transport infrastructure development towards COVID-19 related emergencies; disruption of supply chains, and a decrease in demand and purchasing power. The combination of these factors affected all types of transport – from the use of personal and public transport in cities to the implementation of passenger and freight transport both within and between countries. It also revealed the need to build the capacity of LLDCs and transit countries on how to develop responses to the impact of COVID-19 on the transport sector.

Toward a Solution

Based on the MTR, the capacity building areas that could help the  Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and transit countries to promote transport connectivity include: Building capacity in the preparation of bankable projects is necessary to improve project execution performance. Capacity to mobilize resources to invest in infrastructure development and maintenance. Skills to develop policies to integrate the development and maintenance of transboundary transport infrastructure in national development strategies. Capacity to develop supportive regulatory frameworks and enabling environments to attract more infrastructure financing, and reinforce the regulatory framework for public-private partnerships, and to leverage innovative financing mechanisms such as climate change funds or other international funds. Enhancing their capacity to identify different opportunities for financing that they can utilize.

This training on developing bankable infrastructure projects was organized to respond to some of these identified needs. During this training, participants learned how to develop bankable transport infrastructure projects; how to better understand the requirements of banks and donors, where to look for funding, how to develop supportive policies, regulatory frameworks, and enabling environments to attract more infrastructure financing; how to promote the development of climate-resilient infrastructure; and how to develop responses and solutions to the impact of COVID-19 on the transport sector.

The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and the Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), in partnership with the UN Regional Commissions (ECA, ESCAP, ECLAC and ECE) and the African Development Bank and Asian Development Bank are implementing the project “Strengthening the capacity of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) to design and implement policies that promote transport connectivity in line with the Belt and Road Initiative for the achievement of the SDGs”. The project aims to help LLDCs and transit countries to develop the capacity that can enable them to design policies to build hard and soft infrastructure that is key to improved connectivity to regional and global markets. The training “Strengthening capacity to develop bankable transport infrastructure projects for enhanced connectivity” – was the first in the series of training workshops to be undertaken under the project. It was held for the Africa and Latin America region on 6-8 April 2021 and for the Asia and Europe region on 18-20 May 2021.

The training resulted in an enhanced capacity of policymakers from LLDCs and transit countries and equip them with knowledge and skills required including: on preparing viable or bankable projects to expand or upgrade their transport infrastructure; better understanding of the requirements of banks and donors, available funding opportunities, developing supportive regulatory frameworks and enabling environments to attract more infrastructure financing; and on use of public-private-partnerships to develop transport infrastructure. It will also help them share experiences and best practices on promoting transport connectivity.