By Rahim Abdul
The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), held from August 5–8, 2025, became a critical stage for Malawi to advocate for stronger international cooperation in tackling the economic and logistical hurdles faced by nations without direct access to the sea.
Vice President Dr. Michael Usi, representing President Lazarus Chakwera, led the Malawian delegation at the gathering, which brought together leaders and representatives from 32 LLDCs.
The summit aimed to identify collective strategies for boosting trade, infrastructure, and financing opportunities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Usi delivered opening remarks at a high level side event titled “Unlocking Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Finance in LLDCs through Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs),” where he stressed the urgency for innovative financing models to bridge the gap between development ambitions and available resources.
The event was jointly organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the INFF Facility a collaboration involving UNDESA, UNICEF, and the OECD which provides technical support to countries in mobilizing both public and private sector funds for sustainable growth.
For Malawi, the stakes are high. Being landlocked increases transportation costs, reduces competitiveness in global markets, and limits access to international trade routes.
These barriers, Dr. Usi emphasized, can only be overcome through enhanced regional integration, investment in infrastructure, and partnerships with international stakeholders.
The conference also served as a platform for Malawi to network with potential development partners and explore avenues for technical and financial support. By aligning its economic strategies with the global SDG financing agenda, Malawi hopes to turn its geographical challenges into opportunities for trade diversification, value addition, and digital economic transformation.
