The Avaza National Tourist Zone hosted the Parliamentary Forum

On August 4, 2025, ahead of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC-3), the Parliamentary Forum was held in Avaza. The event was attended by parliamentarians, representatives of the UN, international organizations, the private sector, academia and civil society.

The opening of the forum was held at a high level with the participation of delegates from the Parliament of Turkmenistan, the Office of the United Nations High Representative for LLDCs (OHRLLS), the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the President of the UN General Assembly.

The participants focused on strengthening the role of parliaments in promoting the Avaza Action Programme, which replaced the Vienna Programme of Action. The challenges and lessons learned from the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action were discussed, and the need to strengthen parliamentary functions in the areas of lawmaking, oversight, budgeting and representation to address such pressing issues as the debt burden, resource shortages and climate change was emphasized. One session discussed the importance of parliamentary participation in shaping a multilateral trading system that supports LLDCs. Participants noted the need to develop legislative frameworks that facilitate digital trade and increase LLDCs’ participation in global value chains in the context of economic instability.

LLDC parliaments have a key role to play in the upcoming implementation of the New Agenda for Action, which addresses pressing issues related to their geographic location. In addition, parliamentarians ensure transparency, accountability and inclusiveness in the implementation of the Decade Agenda for Action, and thus act as an important link between the Government, civil society and international partners.

Another session focused on the role of peace, trust and accountable governance in achieving sustainable development. Discussions focused on parliamentary inclusiveness, including enhancing the representation of women, youth and vulnerable groups, as well as the potential of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening cooperation between LLDCs and their neighbours.

The forum concluded with a call to action outlining concrete steps to integrate the priorities of the Awaza Action Programme into the core activities of national parliaments. The final declaration will be presented at the closing plenary session of LLDC-3 and included in the final report of the conference.