UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) on Tuesday in Avaza, called for urgent mobilization of resources to combat climate change and support developing countries, especially those without access to the sea (LLDCs).

He noted that current climate threats pose significant risks to sustainable development and national security of countries by damaging critical infrastructure and restricting economies’ access to global markets.

The Secretary-General underlined the need to double funding for climate adaptation, invest in early warning systems, and strengthen resilient infrastructure. Special emphasis was placed on the Group of Twenty (G20) countries, which are expected to demonstrate ambitious climate commitments. At the same time, landlocked countries must gain access to necessary finance, technology, and partnerships to align climate actions with national development goals. With proper support, these countries can accelerate their transition to a green economy, creating new industries and jobs.

Concluding his speech, Guterres emphasized that the success of LLDCs is key to achieving the 2030 Agenda. He called for collective efforts on economic integration and sustainable development to turn geographic disadvantages into new opportunities for growth and prosperity.

The UN’s international conference on LLDCs is held once every ten years. LLDC3 in Avaza has gathered world leaders and development partners to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing landlocked developing countries, positioning Turkmenistan as a key player in regional integration and global dialogue.