MINISTERIAL MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF LANDLOCKED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES HELD IN NEW YORK

The 23^rd annual Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) took place in New York on 26 September 2024.

At the opening session of the meeting, which was chaired by Hon. Dr. Lemogang Kwape, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Botswana, Global Chair of the Group of LLDC, Ph. Yang, President of the 79^th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Ambassador B. Ray, President of the Economic and Social Council, and R.Fatima, High-Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, delivered remarks. Furthermore, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from LLDCs, representatives from transit countries, development partners, and international organizations made statements at the general debate of the Ministerial Meeting.

In her statement, H.E. Mrs. B.Battsetseg, MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs, presented she the Government of Mongolia's policies, actions, and initiatives to protect the interests of LLDCs and called on Member States, development partners, and stakeholders to support the International Think Tank for LLDCs. She also briefed on the measures taken by Co-chair-Mongolia of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee and emphasized the critical importance of adopting the new Programme of Action for LLDCs at the upcoming Thirs United Nations Conference on LLDCs to be held on 10-13 December in gaborone, Botswana, to advance the development of countries with special needs.

The meeting adopted the Ministerial Declaration, which charts a pathway for achieving and accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals, and highlights the goals, actions, and priority areas of the new Programme of Action for LLDCs for the next decade.