Estonia Joins UN Conference On Landlocked Developing Countries

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 7. Estonia’s Deputy
Secretary General for External Economic and Development Affairs,
Mariin Ratnik, participated in the United Nations’ Third Conference
on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), held in Turkmenistan’s
Awaza, Trend
reports.

Ratnik co-chaired one of the key round tables devoted to
economic diversification and the role of science, technology, and
innovation.

Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) face numerous challenges
to sustainable growth. Beyond the usual development obstacles, they
also bear the burden of high trade and transport costs due to the
lack of direct access to seaports and heavy reliance on transit
countries.

The conference placed special emphasis on easing trade, boosting
technological cooperation, and advancing digital partnerships.
Discussions were held under the UN’s new ten-year action plan, the
Awaza Programme, which aims to help LLDCs overcome geographic
isolation, limited market access, and vulnerability to external
shocks.

In her address, Ratnik underscored the essential role of digital
progress and science-based innovation.“Science, technology, and
innovation are not luxuries; they are necessities for all
countries,” she said.“These are key to enhancing productivity,
ensuring food security, and integrating into global value
chains.”

Ratnik also highlighted Estonia’s contributions to supporting
developing countries, such as through the GovStack initiative and
the national AI education program TI-Hüpe, which promotes public
understanding and responsible use of artificial intelligence.

“Estonia’s experience with e-governance and digital
transformation shows how strategic investment and capacity building
can bring about rapid and lasting change,” she added.

On the sidelines of the summit, Ratnik held bilateral meetings
with representatives from Turkmenistan and Rwanda to explore
cooperation opportunities in digital development, innovation, and
international development.

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