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Civil Society Forum

9-11 December 2024, Gaborone, Botswana

Taking place in the context of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Gaborone, Botswana (9-13 December 2024), the LLDC3 Civil Society Forum is an opportunity for representatives of civil society from around the world to engage with world leaders, Ãå±±½ûµØHeads, and other stakeholders to share experiences and to help shape the sustainable development agenda to achieve the SDGs.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) showed mixed progress in terms of sustainable development. The pandemic compounded the structural vulnerabilities LLDCs face and reversed progress toward the priority areas set in the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs and the ambitions of the Agenda 2030. LLDCs were left exposed to macroeconomic turmoil and external shocks, which heavily impacted their economies and societies and highlighted their high vulnerability to external shocks.

LLDCs face unique challenges due to their geographical isolation from maritime trade routes, which often leads to higher transportation costs and limited market access. These countries typically rely heavily on a few primary commodities for export, making their economies vulnerable to external shocks and price fluctuations.

As the new Programme of Action for LLDCs has been agreed, they stand at a crossroads. Their absence of direct access to seaports and international waters has long cast a shadow over their economic prospects, elevating transportation costs and erecting trade barriers that hinder their integration with global markets.

Yet, as the world evolves in the digital age, a new horizon of possibility emerges for LLDCs. The rise of the digital economy, coupled with technological innovation, offers a beacon of hope¡ªa means to transcend physical boundaries and forge new pathways to prosperity. This digital revolution presents LLDCs with unprecedented opportunities to leapfrog traditional developmental stages and accelerate their journey towards achieving the SDGs.

The landscape of LLDCs is as diverse as it is challenging. A significant portion of their terrain¡ªapproximately 54 percent¡ªfalls under the classification of drylands. This geographical characteristic renders these nations particularly vulnerable to the threats of desertification, land degradation, and the intensifying specter of heat stress in an era of climate change. The economies of LLDCs often find their foundations in sectors intimately tied to the caprices of climate: agriculture, livestock, forestry, fisheries, and mining. These industries, while rich in potential, are also fraught with vulnerability to environmental shifts.

Moreover, the economic lifelines of LLDCs¡ªtheir trade routes to global markets¡ªare subject to a complex web of dependencies. These nations must navigate intricate transport linkages through neighboring transit countries, each with its own set of climate-related vulnerabilities. This interdependence adds layers of complexity and uncertainty to the already challenging task of economic development and international trade.

In their quest for progress, LLDCs have consistently turned to external resources over the past decade. This reliance manifests in a diverse portfolio of financial inflows: Official Development Assistance (ODA), which represents the commitment of the international community to support these nations; international public finance, including concessional grants and lending, which provide vital fiscal support; Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), bringing not just capital but also technology and expertise; and other private flows such as remittances and portfolio investments, which inject much-needed liquidity into local economies.

However, this reliance on external resources is not without its perils. The past years have witnessed a concerning trend of increasing external debt among LLDCs. This fiscal burden has been further exacerbated by the substantial costs incurred in the face of multiple global crises and geopolitical tensions. The delicate balance between leveraging external support for development and maintaining fiscal sustainability presents a critical challenge for policymakers in these nations.

As LLDCs navigate this complex terrain of challenges and opportunities, their journey embodies the broader global struggle for sustainable development in the face of geographical constraints and environmental uncertainties. The path forward for these nations will require innovative strategies that harness the power of digital technologies, build resilience against climate-related risks, and forge stronger, more equitable partnerships within the international community.

The role of civil society is pivotal in bringing innovative solutions and ideas to foster sustainable development, especially for landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) that face distinct challenges. As requested by Member States, a multi-stakeholder approach is key to support a comprehensive review process and to galvanize broad support for a new generation of support measures that transform the economies of the LLDCs and empower them to leverage their potential for prosperity and stability. In addition, civil society alliances can bring the priorities of LLDCs to global policy discussions on key macroeconomic issues of relevance to their development.

Civil society actors are key stakeholders in the development and implementation of national development plans and policies, including in the Landlocked Developing Countries. From grassroots organizations to international organizations, NGOs and other civil society groups have their fingers on the pulse of the needs, desires and challenges of people in their countries and beyond.

The implementation of the next Programme of Action for the LLDCs will depend on both the active engagement of the public and private sector.