From Landlocked to Game-Changer: How Turkmenistan Uses the UN’s Avaza Agenda to Woo Europe

The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), held in the city of Awaza, Turkmenistan, marked a significant milestone in the global development discourse. The main outcome of this conference was the “Awaza Programme of Action” (APoA), a comprehensive UN plan designed to empower landlocked countries in overcoming structural barriers to economic growth and trade. The strategic implementation of this programme highlights Turkmenistan’s pivotal diplomatic role in leveraging it to advance its policy of positive neutrality and enhance its standing in the international arena.


The Turkmen delegation, by presenting this initiative at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit, skillfully framed a development agenda as an integral component of comprehensive security. This diplomatic move not only underlined Ashgabat’s commitment to multilateralism but also offered Europe a principled and innovative pathway for deeper engagement in Central Asia. Such engagement is crucial for Europe as it seeks to expand its influence in a region increasingly shaped by the growing presence of China and Russia, while simultaneously preserving its strategic value as a partner to the United States.


In fact, the Awaza Programme of Action, adopted as the central achievement of LLDC3 in the coastal city of Awaza, created a broad platform to strengthen transportation, trade, energy, digitalization, and climate resilience in some of the world’s most vulnerable nations. Landlocked countries face structural obstacles such as high trade costs, dependence on transit routes through neighboring states, and vulnerability to climate change. The implementation of this programme seeks to transform these vulnerabilities into opportunities for development by mobilizing international cooperation, investing in infrastructure, and fostering regional partnerships.


For Turkmenistan and its neighbors, the Awaza Programme of Action represents more than just a technical framework; it is a vital political and developmental guarantee. By endorsing this plan, the international community recognizes the necessity of addressing inequalities stemming from geography through innovative solutions aimed at integrating landlocked states into global trade networks, diversifying economies, and achieving sustainable growth.

Moreover, at the OSCE meeting, Turkmenistan stressed the synergy between the Awaza Programme and Europe’s security agenda, framing it as compatible with OSCE’s comprehensive security approach. The Turkmen delegation explained how the programme covers political-military, economic-environmental, and human dimensions, aligning with OSCE priorities in stability and cooperation. Its implementation involves integrating the plan into OSCE dialogues, such as joint workshops on border management and environmental security. By linking UN and OSCE efforts, Turkmenistan presented the plan as a tool for strengthening collective security, especially in Central Asia, where geopolitical tensions intensify the challenges of landlockedness.


In outlining areas of practical cooperation, the Turkmen delegation introduced several key priorities. These included the development of transport corridors such as the Caspian-Black Sea route and the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, aimed at reducing transit time and costs for landlocked states. Sustainable energy security, with initiatives to promote renewable sources, was emphasized alongside transnational energy networks to ensure sustainable development amid global transitions. Efforts in digitalization and cybersecurity included building digital infrastructure and protective protocols against threats, while environmental protection measures focused on climate resilience through sustainable water management and biodiversity conservation. Human capacity-building involved educational programs to equip the workforce with skills for emerging sectors. Implementation of these priorities relies on multilateral financing from the UN and development banks, with Turkmenistan pushing for targeted investments in OSCE dialogues.


The Awaza Programme of Action functions as a practical foundation for enhancing stability and regional integration while complementing OSCE’s efforts. By promoting sustainable development and economic convergence, it contributes to conflict prevention and prosperity in regions such as Central Asia. Implementation strategies include regional forums for dialogue and joint projects, such as the 2027 Global Mountain Summit in Kyrgyzstan, which will build upon the programme’s framework. Turkmenistan’s role highlights its commitment to neutrality and constructive engagement, strengthening trust among neighbors and international partners.


The Awaza Programme of Action holds special importance for landlocked countries whose geographic constraints often hinder their integration into global markets. By creating new transport corridors, reinforcing regional cooperation, and boosting trade competitiveness, the plan directly addresses these deficiencies. Reducing trade costs, diversifying energy sources, and improving digital and climate resilience are not only economic imperatives but also tools for advancing sustainable development goals. For landlocked states, the Awaza Programme of Action serves both as a development strategy and as a geopolitical balancing tool, enabling effective participation in global trade and governance.


Another critical aspect is Europe’s effort to enhance its role in Central Asia as a direct response to a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. The 2022 war in Ukraine proved to be a turning point, elevating Central Asia from a peripheral zone to one of strategic necessity for Europe. This compelled the European Union to rediscover the geographic, economic, and political value of the region and to intensify its engagement. This reality was reflected in the EU’s updated 2019 Central Asia Strategy and in subsequent high-level meetings with regional leaders.


In this context, the EU’s connectivity strategy—represented by the Global Gateway initiative—emerged as a counter-narrative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and to Russia’s historical influence. The EU has branded its approach as “sustainable, inclusive, and rules-based,” contrasting it with what it perceives as the state-centric and debt-driven methods of the BRI. The EU’s strategy emphasizes transparency, good governance, and safeguarding the economic and political sovereignty of its partners. A key example is the €10 billion investment in the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, aimed at creating reliable, multimodal links between Europe and Asia while bypassing Russian territory. This project aligns with the goals of the Awaza Programme of Action and represents a tangible step toward building a principled new framework for engagement.

Ultimately, the implementation of the Awaza Programme of Action represents a new chapter for landlocked countries and for the global community’s approach to equitable development. By embedding this programme in the OSCE’s security agenda, Turkmenistan highlighted its multidimensional character: transport corridors foster economic connectivity, energy cooperation enhances security, digitalization strengthens resilience, and environmental protection underpins sustainable growth.


For Europe, the Awaza Programme of Action also represents a fresh opportunity. As the EU seeks to expand its presence in Central Asia, it must balance its desire to remain a global player with the strategic influence of China and Russia, while also maintaining its relevance as a transatlantic partner to the United States. This balancing act will undoubtedly carry significant political and economic costs for Europe. The success of the Awaza Programme of Action will depend not only on the commitment of landlocked states but also on the ability of Europe and the global community to support these initiatives in strengthening stability, integration, and sustainable development.


Translated by Ashraf Hemmati from the original Persian article written by Amin Mahdavi

UN conference adopts Awaza Programme to boost trade and resilience in landlocked countries | Euronews
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