Prime Minister’s Visit to Turkmenistan – Elevating International Image

Photo: PMO Nepal

Every country has its own strategies on how much priority to place on international forums and what benefits to derive for itself or for the world at large. Alongside national interests, it is also a shared duty to uphold human values and collective initiatives for addressing global challenges. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, with a commitment to stability, good governance, and continuity of initiated work, has remained fully engaged in leading such efforts. Known for dedicating at least 18 hours a day to the country’s development agenda, he recently, together with Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, sought to elevate Nepal’s international standing.

A recent example is Nepal’s participation—under Prime Minister Oli’s leadership—in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), held in Awaza, Turkmenistan.

Landlocked developing countries face significant economic, social, and political risks, as well as natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and droughts. With difficult geography, limited access to seas, and high transport costs, trade and industry remain constrained. Many remain dependent on agriculture, while access to education, health, and infrastructure is still limited. Against this backdrop, the Awaza conference adopted the “Awaza Programme of Action for LLDCs (2024–2034),” prioritizing infrastructure development, economic diversification, digital transformation, green technologies, and regional integration.

Nepal, along with other LLDCs, used the forum to highlight common challenges and propose transformative strategies. Prime Minister Oli, addressing the plenary and thematic roundtables, strongly presented Nepal’s voice—focusing on trade, regional integration, digital and green transformation, women’s leadership, and climate justice. His speeches amplified Nepal’s visibility and projected its capacity for global leadership.

The government believes that, in addition to strengthening ties with friendly nations, Oli’s participation and bilateral meetings during the conference will also deepen Nepal–UN cooperation.

The conference adopted measures to overcome transport-related challenges and reaffirmed new commitments for LLDCs’ aspirations. In his capacity as Chair of the Group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Prime Minister Oli delivered a keynote at the plenary session—a rare honor for Nepal. He raised issues of inadequate infrastructure, high transport costs, low foreign investment, dependence on primary exports, and vulnerability to climate change.

Oli called for enhanced cooperation among LLDCs and greater support from development partners. He highlighted Nepal’s initiatives in building smart infrastructure, highways, railways, trade corridors, and green energy corridors, while urging neighbors and donors to extend further support.

In co-chairing and addressing various high-level roundtables, he emphasized:

• Lowering transport costs for LLDCs through regional connectivity,
• Utilizing science, technology, and innovation for structural economic transformation,
• Expanding access to climate finance, capacity building, and technology transfer,
• Promoting sustainable transit systems and resilient infrastructure.

Oli also held bilateral talks with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow and other leaders, broadening Nepal’s diplomatic and economic engagements.

Overall, the conference served as a global platform for solidarity, strategy, and dialogue. For Nepal, Oli’s high-level representation and leadership not only reinforced its international image but also strengthened its role as a credible voice for landlocked and least-developed countries.