Vienna: Amid calls from landlocked developing countries for more transportation infrastructure and transit corridors, one speaker at this morning's round-table discussion at the Third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries encouraged those countries to use existing international instruments to enable smoother transit.
According to EMM, the theme of the round table was Building sustainable infrastructure, strengthening connectivity, and promoting unfettered transit systems for landlocked developing countries. Umberto de Pretto, Secretary-General of the International Road Transport Union, noted that he lives in a landlocked country called Switzerland, whose experience demonstrates that geography does not dictate the future. He encouraged landlocked developing countries to consider solutions beyond physical infrastructure.
Billions are being spent on building roads, but it is futile if drivers are waiting at borders for not just hours or days, but weeks, he pointed out. He emphasized that a truck blocked at a border is the antithesis of sustainable development. When drivers are held waiting in long lines, economies are stopped, and trucks idling at borders burn fuel and emit carbon dioxide.
Other speakers at the round table drew attention to the key role that transit corridors can play. Emile Zerbo, Minister of State for Territorial Administration and Mobility of Burkina Faso, highlighted that the closest transit port to his country is 1,000 kilometres away. This represents a major structural challenge for Burkina Faso and its external trade. Citing a recent study, he said that in 2023, for West African countries without direct access to the sea, transport costs represented 45 per cent of total costs compared to 10 per cent for coastal countries.
Fatou Haidara, Senior Director and Deputy Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), noted that transport corridors are not simply roads or rails but economic lifelines. When properly planned, they can help reduce logistic costs, shorten transit times, and improve business predictability. Digital connectivity is crucial for enabling landlocked developing countries to reach global markets.
Leila Batyrbekova, Founder of the Europe and Central Asia Transport and Trade Association, stressed the need for more and better infrastructure that is well-maintained, especially the Middle Corridor connecting Central Asia to the rest of the world. She also highlighted the importance of harmonizing custom procedures and digitalizing these processes.
In her closing remarks, Madina Sissoko Dembele, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure of Mali, called for innovative resources to ensure access to global markets. Transit costs can be as high as 70 per cent of total transport costs for landlocked developing countries, she noted, emphasizing the need for partnerships and synergies of action.
Several landlocked developing countries echoed the call for establishing transit and energy corridors. Lesotho’s delegate noted the challenges of its geographical position, while the speaker for Zimbabwe highlighted efforts to collaborate with neighbors to establish transit corridors. Zambia’s delegate expressed appreciation for neighboring countries facilitating their dry ports.
Gateway countries like Angola and the United Republic of Tanzania outlined their efforts to connect with landlocked neighbors, emphasizing the need for regional cooperation. Bulgaria is actively participating in initiatives aimed at enhancing transport connectivity, digital infrastructure, and energy security in its region.
The representative of the European Union pointed out that physical infrastructure alone is not enough. Human-centered digitalization and harmonized customs procedures are essential measures. Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, urged massive investment to close the estimated $500 billion finance gap for least developed countries.