Un Landlocked Countries ((link)) Site
| Region | Countries (Examples) | Key Transit Neighbors | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | (16) | Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe | South Africa, Kenya, Djibouti, Tanzania | | Asia (12) | Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan | China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Vietnam | | Europe (14) | Austria, Belarus, Czechia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Switzerland | Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Ukraine | | South America (2) | Bolivia, Paraguay | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru |
. Their mission is guided by major international frameworks designed to turn these "landlocked" countries into "land-linked" ones: The Almaty Programme of Action (2003): The first global effort to address the specific transit needs of LLDCs. The Vienna Programme of Action (2014-2024): A decade-long roadmap focused on infrastructure, international trade, and regional integration. The Gaborone Declaration (2024): Adopted ahead of the third UN Conference on LLDCs, it outlines new priorities for the next decade to foster "transformative partnerships." Current Efforts and Future Outlook Global partners frequently contribute to these programs to help bridge the gap. For instance, India has recently contributed $250,000 to the UN to fund reviews of LLDC programs, emphasizing their role as a vital transit partner for their landlocked neighbors. In un landlocked countries
Landlocked status directly hinders progress on: | Region | Countries (Examples) | Key Transit
Under the , a landlocked state is defined as one with no sea-coast. This includes countries bordering "landlocked seas" like the Caspian Sea (e.g., Kazakhstan), as these bodies of water do not provide direct access to the world’s oceans. About Landlocked Developing Countries - the United Nations The Gaborone Declaration (2024): Adopted ahead of the
The primary UN body addressing this issue is the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) . Established by the UN General Assembly in 2001, its mandate includes:
The United Nations (UN) classifies as landlocked, meaning they lack direct territorial access to an ocean or a sea connected to one. While being landlocked is a geographical reality, the UN identifies a specific subgroup of 32 Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) that face unique socio-economic hurdles. For these nations, the absence of a coastline is not just a map feature—it is a "geographical handicap" that doubles trade costs and slows economic growth. The UN Definition and Global Landscape
Despite progress under the Vienna Programme (e.g., improved customs in East Africa), no LLDC has fully overcome its geographical disadvantage without strong regional integration. The UN continues to advocate for legally binding transit agreements and increased aid-for-trade flows.
