We came across interesting information on the official website of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, which will be held in the “Awaza” national tourism zone. It turns out that 570 million people live in landlocked developing countries around the world. This means one in every 14 people on Earth. The forum to be held in magnificent Awaza will thus affect the fate of so many people. Our Awaza will take an important step toward being a sea outlet for landlocked developing countries.
- The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) is one of the main organizers of this forum. The agency, which unites three major international groups (LDCs – least developed countries, LLDCs – landlocked developing countries, SIDS – small island developing states), was established in 2001 by a special Resolution of the UN General Assembly.
- The extent to which our country attaches importance to this conference is also confirmed by the recent working visit of our Hero Arkadag (National Leader) to the Balkan region. The valuable guidance provided by our Hero Arkadag regarding every aspect of the preparations for the international forum has become a roadmap for the organizing committee. The Law of Turkmenistan “On Accession to the Convention on the Transit Trade of Landlocked States,” adopted by the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan in November last year, further strengthens our cooperation with these countries.
- On April 11 of this year, the UN General Assembly, at its 63rd plenary meeting of the 79th session, adopted the relevant Resolution to hold this major forum in Awaza.
- 57 countries worldwide acted as co-sponsors of this Resolution.
- According to the document, the Ten-Year Action Program for Landlocked Developing Countries (2024–2034) will be called the “Awaza Program.”
- On July 4 of this year, our esteemed President signed the Decision “On holding the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.”
- The conference will be held under the theme “Promoting Development through Support of Cooperation Relations.”
- Events within the forum will cover 7 areas. Among them are the opening and closing ceremonies, plenary meetings, high-level thematic “round tables,” forums, exhibitions, and National Days of Central Asian countries.
- Heads of state and government of 32 countries that are classified as landlocked developing countries, as well as other interested UN member states, the UN Secretary-General and his deputies, are expected to participate in the forum.
- Some of the difficulties faced by the participating countries due to their lack of access to the sea are recognized by relevant UN agencies, and such a conference is organized every 10 years. The aim is to ensure that these countries do not fall behind in development in various fields. The fact that this forum is being held under the motto “Promoting Development through Support of Cooperation Relations” also arises from this noble goal.
- Of the 32 countries recognized by the UN as landlocked developing countries, 16 are in Africa, 12 in Asia, 2 in Latin America, and 2 in Central and Eastern Europe.
Modern communication opportunities will be provided for the UN Awaza forum
- The third UN conference on landlocked developing countries will be held in the “Awaza” national tourism zone. Accordingly, extensive preparation and organizational work has been underway in Awaza for several months, personally and continuously supervised by our Hero Arkadag.
- Responsibility for addressing the internet and communication tasks for the Awaza forum was recently entrusted to the newly established Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan, whose organizational and legal form has been changed.
- According to the Ministry of Communications, Wi-Fi systems have been installed and put into operation within the “Awaza” sports complex and its relevant buildings, as well as at Turkmenbashi International Airport, selected as the venue for the forum in the national tourism zone. High-quality sound systems have also been installed in the sports complex, and necessary server equipment and corporate email for the forum’s official website have been provided.
- In addition, necessary measures have been taken to expand the volume of leased internet channels to our country and ensure their uninterrupted operation, including securing backup channels.
- It should be noted that optical fiber and internal cables have been installed to hotels, Wi-Fi has been activated, and the “ÄlemTV” service, which allows watching more than 200 TV channels in the rooms, has been established.
- The Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan has launched 4G+ technology at Turkmenbashi International Airport, along the road to the tourism zone, and at the location of the international conference, which, in turn, will help provide high-quality mobile communication services.