Today, a Parliamentary Forum was held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone as part of the ongoing Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.
The main goal of this representative meeting is to facilitate the exchange of experience among parliamentarians, and to develop and disseminate recommendations for the legislative bodies of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) on creating specific measures to incorporate the priorities of the Program of Action for the decade into legislative and other activities.
This event will allow for the sharing of practical experience in implementing the Vienna Programme of Action, as well as contributing to the accelerated implementation of the Avaza Programme of Action, including through the political activities of parliamentarians at the local, national, and regional levels.
The parliaments of LLDCs are assigned a key role in the upcoming implementation of the New Programme of Action, which is aimed at addressing topical issues related to the geographical location of these countries. As legislative bodies, they have the authority to adopt and enforce national laws and political courses designed to promote the modernization of transport infrastructure, increase cooperation, and maintain economic stability in the region.
In addition, parliamentarians ensure the transparency, accountability, and inclusivity of the implementation of the Program of Action for the decade, thereby acting as an important link between the government, civil society, and international partners. They actively promote fundraising and the coordination of actions at the national and regional levels, which is a key factor in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The legislative bodies of LLDCs also hold a key position in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Program, which allows for the timely identification of potential problems and the determination of strategic directions for action. The legislative and oversight functions of parliamentarians contribute to the creation of favorable conditions for attracting investments and innovations.
The Forum, organized by the Mejlis of Turkmenistan and the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, was attended by leaders and representatives of government structures and parliaments of LLDCs, as well as international organizations.
Greeting the attendees, the Chairperson of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan noted that the unanimous adoption of the Resolution "Additional information on the procedure for holding the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries" at the 63rd plenary meeting of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly was a testament to the immense trust and respect for our country, whose legal status of permanent neutrality has been recognized three times by the Community of Nations.
It was emphasized that, at the suggestion of Turkmenistan, which promotes the principles of peacemaking and neutrality on the world stage, the UN has adopted a number of resolutions. Devoted to issues of peace and security, the role of dialogue and the principles of neutrality in achieving trust, energy resources, and the creation of transport and transit corridors, these documents have significantly strengthened the legal framework for international cooperation in these areas.
The declaration of 2025 as the "International Year of Peace and Trust" on the initiative of Turkmenistan also testifies to the broad support of the Community of Nations for the country's humane state policy for the benefit of all humanity.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, large-scale work is being carried out to strengthen international partnership to ensure peace and security on the planet and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
In her speech, the head of the national Parliament focused on state policy in the field of transport. It was noted that independent neutral Turkmenistan makes a significant contribution to the activities of the world community in this area, having ratified and joined fundamental international documents in this field. These include conventions on transit trade of landlocked states, on load lines, on tonnage measurement of ships, and on the suppression of unlawful acts against the safety of civil aviation. The documents also include multilateral agreements on the creation of international transport and transit corridors, on the establishment of an International Analytical Center for Landlocked Developing Countries, and other treaties and conventions. Thus, the implementation of generally accepted norms of international law into national legislation makes it possible to accelerate the integration of Turkmenistan into the global legal, political, and economic space.
In general, as the head of the Mejlis emphasized, the wide representative composition of the Forum participants in the Avaza National Tourist Zone as well as the relevance of the issues submitted for discussion, clearly demonstrate the global significance of Turkmenistan's initiated approaches and goals aimed at strengthening international cooperation in the field of sustainable transport in the interests of peace, development, and well-being.
Then the floor was given to the UN Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, Secretary-General of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, Ms. Rabab Fatima.
Addressing the parliamentarians, the UN Under-Secretary-General emphasized that the adoption of the Avaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries marks an important milestone. The Program outlines a specific plan for transforming the challenges of these countries into a driving force for sustainable development and structural reforms.
It was noted that parliamentarians have the constitutional authority to implement universal commitments at the national level through lawmaking, oversight, and budgetary decisions. The Avaza Programme of Action calls on parliaments to monitor the implementation of this document, adopt relevant laws, and ensure that no one is left behind.
Emphasizing that the Parliamentary Forum is an effective platform for strengthening partnerships and exchanging best practices, Ms. Rabab Fatima called on everyone to join forces for the sustainable development of landlocked countries.
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Philemon Yang, in turn, noted the importance of parliaments in implementing universal commitments at the national level.
It was emphasized that parliaments play a key role in translating the priority areas of the new Programme of Action into concrete measures and in their successful implementation.
As noted in the speech, within the framework of state governance, parliaments create a legal framework that promotes the development of trade, infrastructure, and innovation, as well as the expansion of regional integration and interconnectedness.
In addition to resolving political and budgetary issues, parliaments serve as a link between the state and citizens.
Parliaments also play a crucial role in ensuring peace and security, which are necessary for sustainable development.
Philemon Yang noted that closer cooperation between parliaments will help to solve the problems faced by landlocked developing countries and strengthen stability. In this regard, he called on all parliaments to actively participate in the adoption of laws and the control over their implementation, which will serve as a guarantee of the practical implementation of the obligations of the international community and the General Assembly.
Warmly welcoming the participants, the Vice-President of the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Ms. Sevil Mikayilova, noted that it was a great honor for her to speak at such an important Forum and expressed gratitude to the Turkmen side for the hospitality.
"We have gathered here today to discuss directions for the successful implementation of the Avaza Programme of Action," said S. Mikayilova, recalling that the Inter-Parliamentary Union has been working effectively for many years to promote innovations in sustainable development through jointly organized conferences.
Noting that the Avaza Programme of Action includes effective mechanisms that contribute to accelerating sustainable and inclusive growth in landlocked developing countries, the Vice-President of the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union emphasized that parliaments, as legislative bodies, are obliged to actively participate in the successful implementation of this Program.
The Forum then continued its work in thematic sessions.
The session on a comprehensive analysis of the transition from the Vienna Programme of Action to the Avaza Programme of Action reviewed the achievements and best practices in the implementation of the previous Program that will be useful for the new Programme of Action for the decade.
The participants' special attention was focused on the role of parliamentarians in ensuring the effective implementation of the Avaza Programme of Action from the perspective of their legislative, representative, and oversight functions. It was noted that parliaments hold a key position in fundraising, forming the legislative framework of political policy, and monitoring its implementation, which is of great importance in the context of the tasks of LLDCs.
During the discussion, the main issues that these countries directly faced during the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action were touched upon. In this regard, successes were noted in strengthening interaction between states and international organizations, as well as in raising awareness of the needs of LLDCs.
A separate topic of discussion was the new perspectives opened up by the Avaza Programme of Action for sustainable development, in particular, for expanding multilateral cooperation, innovative financial mechanisms, and the accessibility of technologies. It was noted that parliamentarians should take a leading position in their promotion through the use of powers that ensure political transparency and accountability.
Special attention was paid to strengthening parliamentary capacity through interaction with UN structures, development partners, and civil society. It was emphasized that such multilateral cooperation contributes to the exchange of experience, advanced training, and effective budget policy.
Measures to stimulate investment in infrastructure, public services, and climate-adapted development were also discussed. Parliamentarians noted the need to ensure accountability in the implementation of such projects to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.
At the thematic session "Creating and strengthening a multilateral trading system that meets the interests of landlocked developing countries," the role of parliaments in complying with the regulations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was considered. Despite the fact that these regulations are mandatory for all participating states, they only enter into force after ratification and implementation at the national level.
In the speeches of experts and parliamentarians, international trade was identified as the main factor in the economic well-being and inclusive development of LLDCs. In this regard, the need for the active participation of parliaments in establishing multilateral trade cooperation was emphasized, and an emphasis was placed on the mechanisms of parliamentary control over trade agreements.
One of the topics of discussion was the opportunities associated with the growth of digital trade, which in recent decades has led to significant transformations in the world and created new conditions for cross-border trade. The participants noted that in the digital economy, LLDCs face certain challenges that require the adoption of an appropriate legislative framework.
Parliamentarians also discussed practical steps to strengthen the positions of these countries in the global trading system against the backdrop of modern changes in trade policy in the global economy. In this regard, the importance of legislative measures aimed at ensuring free trade was noted.
The upcoming tasks for parliaments to develop digital trade and the digital economy in LLDCs, as well as to increase the effectiveness of the application of multilateral trade agreements, were considered. Special attention was paid to the need to coordinate efforts with international organizations—the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)—as well as with development partners and civil society to ensure sustainable development and expand the capabilities of the parliament.
Thus, the session became a constructive platform for developing recommendations for strengthening the multilateral trading system and activating the role of parliaments, and for exchanging experience in the context of ensuring the sustainable economic development of LLDCs.
The role of effective and inclusive governance in the International Year of Peace and Trust in strengthening social unity, as well as in implementing the Avaza Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, was considered at the session "Strengthening Peace, Trust, and Responsible Governance: Factors of Sustainable Development in Landlocked Developing Countries."
During the discussion, the importance of broad involvement of women and youth in the decision-making process was emphasized, which will increase the effectiveness of management mechanisms. The Forum participants also noted the need for institutional reforms to expand the capabilities of the parliament, increase inclusivity, and strengthen trust and stability in society.
At the same time, practical developments and strategies for the development of parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue were considered as tools for strengthening interaction between LLDCs and their neighboring states. It was emphasized that inclusive and responsible governance not only contributes to harmony and trust within a single country but also allows for the strengthening of international relations, creating the prerequisites for sustainable development.
An exchange of views also took place on the role of parliaments in promoting political dialogue and social unity, which are necessary conditions for the implementation of national and international programs. Special attention was paid to creating mechanisms that ensure the participation of representatives of all segments of the population in legislative activities and the consideration of their interests.
In addition, the importance of cooperation tools for maintaining institutional stability and improving governance in LLDCs was emphasized. In this regard, the need to coordinate the efforts of international organizations and civil society to strengthen parliamentary institutions and create conditions for sustainable and inclusive development was noted.
At the final session of the Forum, the main ideas and recommendations were systematized, which will make it possible to identify priority tasks for strengthening the role of parliamentarians in the implementation of the Avaza Programme of Action.
A Parliamentary Appeal to the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries was presented for the consideration of the participants, which outlines the call of parliamentarians of LLDCs for technical and financial support to fulfill their functions. The speech, in particular, refers to the provision of institutional recommendations and instructions from relevant international organizations, as well as assistance in mobilizing resources to build existing capacity.
Then the floor was given to the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ms. Tanzila Narbayeva, who warmly greeted all those gathered and expressed sincere gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the United Nations for the invitation to take part in such an important event.
Warmly congratulating the organizers on the successful holding of the current Forum, the Chairperson of the Parliament of the friendly country emphasized that the holding of such an authoritative international Conference dedicated to topical issues of the global agenda indicates that Turkmenistan has become an important platform for international dialogue.
In her speech, Tanzila Narbayeva also noted the significance of the regional Inter-Parliamentary Forum, created in 2023 on the initiative of the heads of state of Central Asia and which is an important platform for strengthening interstate cooperation.
This Forum successfully held its second meeting and has established itself as an effective mechanism for promoting integration and sustainable development, including the development of transport infrastructure.
In conclusion, the Chairperson of the national Parliament of the Republic of Uzbekistan wished success to all those gathered.
Summing up the results of the Forum, the UN Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, Secretary-General of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, Ms. Rabab Fatima, thanked everyone for their commitment to promoting the priorities of landlocked developing countries.
As noted, the Forum discussed specific measures to expand the representation of women in the parliaments of landlocked developing countries and create official mechanisms for regular interaction with youth, civil society, and the private sector. Such inclusive processes increase the effectiveness of policies.
Ms. Rabab Fatima congratulated everyone on the successful holding of the Forum, stating with satisfaction that today's discussions clearly demonstrated the important role of parliaments in the upcoming implementation of the Avaza Programme of Action.
At the end of the Parliamentary Forum, its participants emphasized the importance of continuing to join forces to strengthen the role of parliamentarians in implementing national and international development programs. According to the unanimous opinion of the delegates, the current event has become a significant platform for multilateral dialogue, designed to contribute to increasing the effectiveness of the activities of legislative bodies in promoting peace, trust, and sustainable development.
Expressing gratitude to the Turkmen side for the high level of organization of the Forum, the parliamentarians expressed confidence that the practical implementation of the proposals and recommendations put forward during it will contribute to strengthening the role of parliamentary institutions in the international arena and increasing the significance of their contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
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