Philippines Expresses Solidarity with Landlocked Developing Countries at United Nations Conference in Turkmenistan
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Charles C. Jose delivers the Philippines’ national statement as head of delegation to the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Awaza, Turkmenistan.
MANILA 11 August 2025 — The Philippines joined the call for international support and solidarity for landlocked developing countries, during the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) held on 05 to 08 August 2025 in Awaza, Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan.
The Philippines’ participation in the LLDC3 is part of the country’s long-standing commitment to multilateralism, and the recognition of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) as partners in advancing resilience and equitable and inclusive sustainable development
Delivering the national statement, Undersecretary Charles C. Jose reaffirmed the Philippines’ readiness to work in solidarity with the global community in implementing the Awaza Programme of Action (POA) for LLDCs 2024-2034, adopted as the global framework to enhance support for LLDCs.
“The comprehensive implementation of the POA is critical for LLDCs to overcome the structural and geographical barriers that impede their sustainable development,” Undersecretary Jose urged. “It must be pursued in a spirit of partnership that respects the ownership and agency of LLDCs to determine their development pathways.”
Undersecretary Jose emphasized the importance of connectivity for LLDCs, and called for support for LLDCs in addressing trade and transportation challenges, putting in place institutional and regulatory reforms, enhancing digital infrastructure and fostering greater innovation.
Undersecretary Jose stated that as a fellow developing middle-income country, the Philippines is ready to enhance its collaboration and share experience with LLDCs in the areas of climate action, migration, South-South and triangular cooperation, and people-to-people connectivity.
Speaking as a champion of climate action and climate finance for developing countries, Undersecretary Jose stated: “the international community must ensure that LLDCs develop the resilience to withstand and adapt to climate change and natural hazards”, Undersecretary Jose stated. He further stressed the need for more predictable, accessible, and needs-based financing for countries most affected by climate impacts.
Taking the floor in the High-Level Thematic Roundtable on mobilization of resources, Undersecretary Jose highlighted the critical contribution of migrants and remittances to sustainable development in countries of origin, transit and destination.
“Migration is an area for potential exchange of knowledge and experiences with LLDCs, in a spirit of South-South and triangular cooperation,” Undersecretary Jose noted. He echoed the call for reduction of transaction costs of remittances, and offered collaboration on promoting their productive uses and developing programs on financial literacy.
On the sidelines of the LLDC3, Undersecretary Jose also held bilateral meetings with senior officials from 13 LLDC delegations, namely Armenia, Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Nepal, Paraguay, Rwanda, South Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Zimbabwe, underlining the commitment of the Philippines in cooperating with LLDCs. Undersecretary Jose was accompanied by UNIO Office of United Nations and International Organizations Director Jet C. Olfato and Assistant Director Rigoberto D. Banta, Jr. END