Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Ukraine to Turkmenistan Petro Makarenko Delivered a Statement at the General Debate of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3)

NTZ "Avaza", Turkmenistan, 6 August 2025

As part of his participation in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), held in the National Tourist Zone "Avaza", Turkmenistan, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Ukraine to Turkmenistan Petro Makarenko addressed the international delegates representing over 100 countries and nearly 50 international organizations.

In his address, Petro Makarenko emphasized the need to consolidate international efforts in support of landlocked developing countries, especially in the face of growing global challenges such as armed conflicts, climate change, food crises, and economic inequality.

“Even in the midst of a full-scale war unleashed upon us by a nuclear aggressor state, we continue to contribute to international solidarity, especially in support of the most vulnerable nations.”

The statement highlighted Ukraine’s efforts to ensure global food security, including assistance to landlocked developing countries. In particular, Mr. Makarenko presented President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, through which over 280,000 tons of grain have been delivered to more than 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East. This support continues despite ongoing daily shelling across Ukraine, which causes significant damage to logistics infrastructure and export routes.

“Let there be no doubt: Ukraine’s fight is also a fight for uninterrupted trade and sustainable development.”

Despite Russian aggression, Ukraine continues to launch innovative logistical solutions, including the functioning of the Black Sea corridor, which ensures stable exports to global markets. Additionally, Ukraine is actively strengthening partnerships with countries in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia by opening new embassies and concluding cooperation agreements. These efforts demonstrate Ukraine’s commitment to equal and mutually beneficial international cooperation.

Special attention was drawn to the issue of Russia’s militarization of the Caspian Sea, which poses a direct threat to the region’s security, economy, and ecological stability. Mr. Makarenko stressed that regular launches of cruise missiles by Russian strategic bombers over the Caspian Sea result in marine pollution and violate Article 3 of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. These criminal actions endanger the unique ecosystem and critical trade routes essential for the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

Ukraine reaffirmed its commitment to building new transcontinental transport corridors, particularly in the EU–Asia direction through the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The importance of developing inclusive, multimodal, and resilient trade routes, coordinating customs procedures, and overcoming infrastructure barriers limiting landlocked countries’ access to global markets was also underscored.

The Chargé d'Affaires expressed hope that the Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries would become a solid foundation for active cooperation and the pursuit of economic justice.

“Ukraine knows the price of isolation, disrupted trade, and aggression. But we also know the power of resilience, partnership, and shared purpose.”