Distinguished Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Chair of our Group, distinguished  delegation of Zambia, for their tireless efforts and leadership in  promoting the interests of the developing land locked countries. Today’s meeting of the Group coincided with the adoption of the new Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is regarded as a very important event. Of course, lack of access to sea constantly creates challenges to LLDCs in terms of sustainable development and constitute a major obstacle to further integration of our countries  into the world economy.

Tajikistan is fully committed to the decisions and recommendations of the Vienna Program of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for 2014-2024. We are confident that the implementation of the plan of action for the Decade adopted by the UNGA, with its six priority areas, will contribute to the structural transformation of our economy and strengthening of it infrastructure, and also will promote regional cooperation, in terms of integration.

Since the adoption of APoA Tajikistan has paid special attention to the promotion of regional trade, and has achieved remarkable results in improving its transport system and implementing a special approach towards the issue of transit and communication potentials.

To simplify custom rules and regulations the system of “Single Window” was introduced and the Apostill Treaty was ratified. We also set up four active Free Economic Zones in order to encourage investors, and implement the National program on promoting trade and transportation.

Moreover, Tajikistan hosted a number of international and regional events, among them:

•             the Tenth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission of the International Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA), 

•             High Level International Conference on the development of transit potential of Central Asia for the period until 2023,  and

•             the First Investment Forum on the Implementation of the OIC Plan of Action for cooperation with the countries of Central Asia.

The above events were focused on creation of an environment   conducive to transit, improvement of transport safety, environmental protection, application of flexible tariff policy and trade promotion.

The negotiations between the representatives of Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan on a Trilateral Trade Transit Agreement  (PATTA) have  entered  its concluding stage.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Despite certain progress, LLDCs still have to deal with multifaceted challenges that interfere with their long-term development.

Poverty and inequality, inadequate industrial capacities, inadequate infrastructure, dominating share of raw materials in exports, low per capita energy supply, and youth unemployment remain the key problems in LLDCs. Besides, sustainable development of LLDCs is undermined by climate change and natural disasters, including desertification, degradation of land and  glaciers. In Tajikistan  every year water-related natural disasters cause huge economic and social damage.

Mr. Chair,

Every challenge comes with opportunities. Our current challenges compel the country, through the use of alternative means, to focus its efforts on the following strategic areas: ensuring energy and food security, and overcoming communication deadlock.

Development of such economic branched of priority as transport and energy sectors in Tajikistan can have a multidimentional  effect  on the entire economy of Tajikistan. Integrated development of hydro-energy and other energy sectors, allows not only to sustain and increase efficiency of the energy system, but also to reduce detrimental emissions,  the  major issue in addressing climate change impact. Tajikistan has been developing its energy potential on the basis of integrated development of renewable sources. The country has started construction of small-, medium – and large scale hydropower stations, including those of regional significance. In addition, exploration of wind and solar energy has reached the stage of practical implementation. It needs to note that all these projects have been implemented on a transparent basis, with due consideration to social, economic and ecological aspects of sustainable development of modern energy sector.

Construction of power plants and transmission lines for the purpose of  sustainable development contributes to the improvement of living standards  not only of the population of Tajikistan, but also of the entire region. In this regard, the construction of an energy bridge between Central Asia and South Asia (CASA-1000), aimed at promoting export of electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to the energy markets of Afghanistan and Pakistan becomes of special significance. There is no doubt that the implementation of this project  as an engine of trade facilitation, will increase industrial production and ensure energy security in the both regions.

Distinguished Mr. Chair,

In conclusion, I would like to underline that, due to the above challenges, LLDCs still need a strong international support for successful implementation of the new agenda for sustainable development. I am confident that the UN can and called upon to play the leading and coordinating role in facilitating technical and financial assistance to LLDCs.

Thank you for attention.