The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and IRU renewed their working relationship today with the signing of a memorandum of understanding to draw on their respective strengths in jointly supporting landlocked developing countries to implement the Vienna Programme of Action.
Through the MoU, the two entities will advocate for key issues related to transport. These include: improving border crossings, developing regional transport corridors, private sector partnerships and trade facilitation for the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and their transit partners. Furthermore, the two organisations will assist LLDCs and transit neighbours to improve transport operations. Joint action-oriented projects are also envisioned under the MoU, with a view to assist LLDCs in implementing the Vienna Programme of Action and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“The UN-OHRLLS and IRU have had a long and productive collaboration through our common goal of supporting landlocked developing countries to reach their fullest potential,” said Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. “With this MoU, we are continuing to strengthen our joint activities to ensure that there is greater coherence in our collective efforts to raise awareness of the special needs and challenges these countries face at the national, regional and global levels.”
