Ulaanbaatar
International Think Tank for landlocked countries inaugurated
Politics
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Inauguration Conference of International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries took place in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 11-12.
According to the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), average level of development of the LLDC could have been 20 percent higher if they were coastal countries. Furthermore, it is stated in Doing the Business Report by the World Bank that transport cost of a landlocked country is twice higher than a coastal country. At the inauguration conference Deputy Minister U.Enkhtvushin highlighted the necessity to support and intensify activities of the International Think Tank for LLDC.
According to the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), average level of development of the LLDC could have been 20 percent higher if they were coastal countries. Furthermore, it is stated in Doing the Business Report by the World Bank that transport cost of a landlocked country is twice higher than a coastal country. At the inauguration conference Deputy Minister U.Enkhtvushin highlighted the necessity to support and intensify activities of the International Think Tank for LLDC.
He said, “The International Think Tank will be the main pillar of landlocked countries to defend their interest and position at international level and formulate their development goals,” suggesting to cooperate in receiving support from donor countries and international organizations for implementing Trade Facilitation Agreement of the World Trade Organization, establishing research and information digital library, advancing economic competitiveness of member countries and improving their transportation infrastructure.
In 2006, Mongolia proposed to establish the first International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries with purpose of making researches and policy advises for landlocked developing countries. In 2009 the UN-General Assembly adopted the resolution A/RES/64/214, welcoming the establishment of the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries in Ulaanbaatar. In connection, Multilateral Agreement for the Establishment of an International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries was ratified in 2010. So far, 12 countries including Mongolia, Laos, Armenia, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Prague, Kyrgyz, Tajikistan and Nepal joined the agreement.
Deputy Minister U.Enkhtuvshin called on the other landlocked countries to join the agreement.
E.Altanzul
