An official meeting of the Permanent Representatives to the United Nations of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) was held at the UN Headquarters in New York. During the meeting, the new composition of the Group’s Bureau for 2027–2028 was elected. With the unanimous support of all members of the Group, Turkmenistan was elected Chair of the LLDCs for the specified period. This was reported by the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the United Nations.

Turkmenistan’s chairmanship will begin on 1 January 2027. The Bureau will also include Azerbaijan as Vice-Chair, as well as Laos, Burundi, Chad, Rwanda and Paraguay. The new composition of the LLDCs Bureau will be approved by the Final Declaration of the Ministerial Meeting of the Group, scheduled to be held on 24 September 2026 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The election of Turkmenistan to lead this international group is an important achievement of the country’s foreign policy and reflects the high level of confidence from the international community, particularly from landlocked developing countries.

During its two-year chairmanship, Turkmenistan will coordinate the activities of the LLDCs Group and represent the common interests of 32 landlocked developing countries. Special attention will be given to the development of cooperation in such priority areas as energy, transport connectivity and other important fields. Turkmenistan will also play a significant role in the implementation of the Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for 2024–2034.

To prepare for the chairmanship, a draft Roadmap for Turkmenistan’s Chairmanship of the LLDCs Group for 2027–2028 will be developed in November–December of this year in cooperation with the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS). The document will outline key priorities, new initiatives and practical measures for the upcoming period.