Think Resilience Dialogue - Unlocking Potential: Resilience at the Core of LLDCs' Sustainable Development

Time

8:00-9:00am EST

Background 

Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) face unique challenges in disaster risk reduction (DRR) due to their geographical constraints, which can limit access to international markets and infrastructure networks. Reliance on shared river systems makes flood management dependent on international cooperation, as upstream water releases can trigger downstream flooding. These countries also face heightened vulnerability to drought and water scarcity, having to coordinate with upstream countries on water needs and lacking direct access to maritime water sources. Being landlocked also delays access to resources and international aid during disasters, with high reliance overland or aerial routes. Additionally, their geographic isolation complicates the management of cross-border hazards like forest fires, and they often depend on neighboring countries for climate data and early warning systems. These vulnerabilities are compounded by the increase in climate-related disasters, as well as economic and social pressures, which exacerbate the impacts of disasters on LLDCs.  

Despite commitments to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, LLDCs continue to face significant capacity and resource gaps. Data from the Sendai Framework Monitor highlights the critical importance of focusing on LLDCs within the DRR agenda. LLDCs experience some of the highest disaster-related impacts, with an average mortality rate of 2.38 per 100,000 population, significantly exceeding the global average of 0.82. Moreover, LLDCs report 3,022 affected people per 100,000 population and endure a direct economic loss of 1.85% of their GDP, a significant strain compared to many other countries. These countries also face extensive infrastructure damage, with an average of 32,670 critical units destroyed or damaged between 2014 and 2023. These figures underscore the urgent need for tailored DRR strategies that address the unique geographical and economic vulnerabilities of LLDCs, emphasizing resilient infrastructure development, enhanced regional cooperation, and increased access to resources and support.  

The need to increase disaster risk reduction efforts in LLDCs has been recognized by UN Member States during the development of the Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries 2024-2034, to be adopted at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in Awaza, Turkmenistan in August 2025. The Programme of Action notably include, for the first time, Priority Area 4 on “Enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change and disasters”, with subchapters on Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilient Infrastructure, among others.

Objective

This Think Resilience Dialogue will unpack the disaster risk reduction and resilience building elements of the Awaza Programme of Action and discuss key areas of work that are of particular significance to LLDCs, to support delegations as they prepare for the Third International Conference on LLDC3.

Guiding Questions

• How can LLDCs further mainstream a risk-informed approach to sustainable development in line with the Awaza Programme of Action, particularly in critical sectors such as energy, transport and infrastructure? What opportunities and obstacles lie ahead in achieving this integration?
• How can building resilience, particularly through disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, strengthen the business case for investment in LLDCs? What synergies between trade, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable development should be prioritized to enhance investment and cooperation?
• How can regional cooperation on disaster risk management, including on transboundary risks, be enhanced to support LLDCs in implementing the disaster risk reduction components of the Awaza Programme of Action? What successful models of cooperation can be scaled to improve resilience in LLDCs? 

Key Resources 

• Programme of Action for the Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2024-2034 (A/RES/79/233)
• Disaster Risk Reduction in Landlocked Developing Countries

Programme

Welcoming remarks:

• Ms. Sheona McKenna, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Australia to the UN (Co-Chair of the Group of Friends on DRR)

Introductory remarks:

• Mr. Diego Pacheco Balanza, First Minister and Chargé D'Affaires, Permanent Mission of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the UN and Chair of the Group of LLDCs

Presentations:

• Mr. Aniket Ghai, Senior Economic Affairs Officer, OHRLLS
• Ms. Regina Asariotis, Chief of the Policy and Legislation Section in the Division on Technology and Logistics, UNCTAD
• Ms. Sakshi Chadha Dasgupta, Lead Specialist on Technical Studies, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
• Dr. John Schneider, Director, Schneider Geohazards and Lead, Geohazards Risk Collaboration Network

Open discussion

The Think Resilience Dialogue Series

The Think Resilience Dialogues – co-hosted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Group of Friends for Disaster Risk Reduction – provide a space for Member States, as well as the United Nations system, invited experts and stakeholder groups, to informally discuss issues central to risk-informed decision-making with a view to mainstreaming a risk-informed approach across various intergovernmental fora.