Turkmenistan has been elected Chair of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) for 2027-2028. The decision was unanimously adopted Sept. 3 at a meeting of the group’s permanent representatives to the United Nations, held at U.N. headquarters in New York, Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the U.N. reported.
Turkmenistan’s chairmanship will begin January 1, 2027. The group’s new Bureau will also include Azerbaijan, Laos, Burundi, Chad, Rwanda and Paraguay, which were elected vice chairs.
During its two-year chairmanship, Turkmenistan will coordinate the group’s work and represent the common interests of 32 landlocked developing countries. Key areas of the group’s work will include developing energy and transport connectivity, as well as implementing the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024-2034.
The final composition of the Bureau will be confirmed in the Final Declaration of the LLDCs’ ministerial meeting to be held Sept. 24 at U.N. headquarters in New York.
To prepare for its chairmanship, Turkmenistan will work with the Office of the U.N. High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS) in November-December 2026 to prepare a draft road map for its 2027-2028 chairmanship. The document will outline key priorities, initiatives and practical measures for the upcoming period.
