Development pathway support guided a major consultation in Ulaanbaatar as Mongolia advanced planning for the Awaza Programme of Action. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and the International Think Tank for LLDCs jointly organized the meeting on November 4 at UN House.
During the session, participants reviewed national opportunities linked to the programme’s ten-year framework. They also assessed the challenges Mongolia must address to accelerate economic integration across global markets.
The Awaza Programme of Action, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2024, outlines a decade-long strategy for thirty-two landlocked developing countries. It targets transport upgrades, trade facilitation, digital development, policy coherence and resilience building. Consequently, officials underscored the importance of aligning national policy with these international commitments.
Earlier negotiations in New York shaped the programme’s design, with Mongolia and Austria co-chairing detailed multilateral discussions. Those talks finalized priority areas and established a unified framework for collective development progress.
Ambassador Enkhbold Vorshilov delivered a keynote address emphasizing the urgency of stronger integration efforts. He noted that landlocked developing countries represented only tiny shares of global exports in 2022. Furthermore, he highlighted that digital services participation remained especially low for these economies.
According to Enkhbold, development pathway support remains essential for overcoming persistent structural constraints. He urged Mongolian institutions to improve coordination and ensure international goals connect effectively with national strategies.
Representatives from ESCAP, UN-OHRLLS and Mongolian research institutions contributed sector-specific insights. Their discussions covered logistics modernization, customs improvements, regional connectivity and emerging digital solutions. Additionally, participants emphasized the need for stronger private-sector participation to accelerate implementation.
Officials said Mongolia must create a clear national roadmap guiding the programme’s five priority pillars. They argued that coordinated planning across ministries will support measurable progress and reduce inefficiencies.
Experts also stressed that international cooperation remains indispensable for enhancing Mongolia’s transport corridors. As a result, regional partnerships could shorten transit times and expand new export channels for Mongolian producers.
Moreover, the consultation highlighted the importance of capacity building across regulatory agencies. Stronger institutional capabilities can accelerate reforms in freight management, customs technology and digital governance.
Participants welcomed the official launch of the Mongolian-language edition of the Awaza Programme of Action. The translated document will improve accessibility and support wider policy engagement across government and civil society.
Development pathway support continues to influence Mongolia’s long-term strategy as it seeks deeper global integration. Ultimately, officials concluded that sustained cooperation and structured planning will help Mongolia overcome geographic barriers and achieve durable growth.
