The new Programme of Action (PoA) for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) for the Decade 2024–2034 emphasizes that South-South and triangular cooperation serve as important complements to North-South cooperation, particularly in areas of mutually agreed collaboration. The new Programme of Action acknowledges the critical role of South-South and triangular cooperation in addressing the unique challenges faced by Landlocked Developing Countries, and underscores the significance of international development cooperation in fostering economic resilience, trade facilitation, and technology transfer..
Additionally, the PoA encourages regional and South-South cooperation as a means to exchange knowledge, facilitate technological advancements, mobilize resources, and enhance infrastructure development.
By leveraging partnerships within the Global South, LLDCs can gain access to innovative solutions, financing mechanisms, and best practices in structural transformation and economic diversification; while strengthening their access to global markets, reducing trade and transport costs, and enhancing resilience in the face of global challenges.
UNOSSC provided policy support through evidence-based analysis toward mainstreaming South-South and triangular cooperation as a modality of work in the new Programme of Action (PoA) for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) for the Decade 2024–2034.
UNOSSC is committed to advancing sustainable development through robust South-South and triangular cooperation, particularly within the context of LLDCs. The Office’s efforts will be further guided by working closely with the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS) to ensure that South-South and triangular cooperation are anchored as critical avenues for the implementation of the new PoA.
Regional Integration
Regional integration is identified as a principal strategy for LLDCs to enhance their participation in international trade. The Programme of Action recognizes that regional economic integration and interconnectivity can drive inclusive growth and sustainable development, thereby strengthening commitments to regional trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The PoA highlights the need to deepen regional and subregional integration, particularly in trade, transport, and transit facilitation, by enhancing infrastructure connectivity and streamlining cross-border trade procedures. It also goes beyond trade facilitation, calling for regional cooperation in investment, research and development, and industrial policies to support sustainable economic transformation.
Furthermore, the PoA sets clear targets for regional integration, including increasing intra-regional trade, developing regional value chains, incorporating transit trade provisions into trade agreements, and facilitating the exchange of best practices between regional and subregional trade agreements.
LLDC3 Ministerial Meeting on South-South cooperation
As an initial step, and in response to the General Assembly 2nd Committee Resolution on South-South Cooperation (A/RES/79/236), UNOSSC jointly with OHRLLS, will be co-organizing a Ministerial Meeting on South-South cooperation, to be convened during the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in Turkmenistan. The meeting aims to renew and strengthen partnerships and commitments from the Global South and traditional development partners for accelerated implementation of the new Programme of Action for LLDCs and progress towards the SDGs. It also aims to explore ways to strengthen South-South cooperation as a key means of implementation, identify innovative solutions, and provide recommendations for scaling up support for LLDCs through South-South and triangular cooperation.
?? Programme of Action (PoA) for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) for the Decade 2024–2034
