From 5 to 8 August 2025, the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3) was held in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan. The event was attended by Heads of States and Government, delegates from more than 100 countries, representatives of business, international organisations and the media, according to Arzuw.news.

The forum was dedicated to finding solutions for 32 countries deprived of access to sea trade routes, home to about 570 million people.

The key outcome of the conference was the adoption of the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024–2034. The document covers five areas: structural reforms with a focus on science and innovation, trade integration, transport connectivity, climate resilience and resource mobilisation. By 2034, it is planned to double the share of manufacturing, service exports and high-tech sectors in the economies of the participating countries.

The programme includes the creation of regional agricultural research centres, the formation of a High-Level Group on Freedom of Transit and the introduction of mechanisms to attract private investment in infrastructure. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has announced its readiness to invest $10 billion in the development of transport and energy systems.

Special attention is being paid to climate issues: there are plans to establish a climate negotiation group and integrate environmental aspects into all areas of the programme. The launch of the Decade of Sustainable Transport from 2026 was also announced.

Delegations from Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan took part in the forum's cultural programme. Parallel forums were held for the private sector, parliamentarians and young people. The final political declaration includes monitoring and reporting mechanisms and reaffirms commitment to key international agreements.

The Avaza conference became the largest international platform for discussing the problems of the LLDCs and marked the transition from declarations to the implementation of specific projects capable of changing the socio-economic situation in these countries.