Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) in North and Central Asia have made progress in implementing the Vienne Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014 – 2024 (hereafter referred to as VPoA). However, the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, climate change, and the widening digital divide have exacerbated LLDCs existing vulnerabilities in terms of food insecurity, high transport and trade costs, and the risk of falling behind in the global digital development. Landlockness and these additional challenges impede the progress of LLDCs towards economic transformation and sustainable development in the subregion.
The main objective of the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) is to examine how the countries in North and Central Asia could foster innovation and adapt new, emerging, and appropriate technologies to advance green transformation for sustainable economic development. The EGM will examine innovation and technology-related policies and assess their impact on digital development, sustainable transport, and climate-smart agriculture to address persistent development challenges and negative impacts of multiple crises in North and Central Asia. It will provide concrete recommendations for policymakers and facilitate regional cooperation with view to Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in June 2024, in Kigali, Rwanda.
