Unlocking Business
LLDC3 Private Sector Forum
The LLDC3 conference has been postponed until further notice. Thank you!
Registration is open! Deadline for representatives of private sector and non-governmental organizations is 4 November 2024. To register, please view LLDC3 Registration Portal for details.
Bringing the voice of the private sector to the heart of the UN’s next decade of development for landlocked developing countries.
The Forum will provide a platform to engage with world leaders, UN Heads, chief executives, investors and others to shape the sustainable development agenda to achieve the SDGs.
About the forum
The Private Sector Forum at LLDC3 provides a once-in-a-decade opportunity to build transformative partnerships and mobilize long-term investment and finance in the 32 landlocked developing countries, which have a combined population of 570 million people, set to reach 1 billion by 2060.
The two-day PSF will feature a high-level opening dialogue, four thematic sessions, side-events and networking and exhibition areas with booths. The forum will provide a platform for direct interaction between company representatives and delegations from all United Nations countries, as well as United Nations agencies, investment promotion agencies, and other stakeholders, offering business and development networking opportunities and the chance to shape development policy.
Landlocked think pieces
Unlocking Growth: How Private Sector Partnerships Can Drive Prosperity for LLDCs
Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) face unique economic challenges due to their geographic isolation. With no direct access to seaports, LLDCs rely on neighboring countries for trade routes, increasing transport costs and reducing competitiveness. Yet, these 32 countries, with a population of 570 million, represent a growing market expected to exceed 1 billion by 2060.
Sanda Ojiambo
CEO and Executive Director, UN Global Compact
Empowering Mali's Youth with Coding and Digital Skills
"By connecting rural producers with broader markets, we are helping to create economic opportunities that were previously inaccessible, driving economic growth and reducing poverty in some of the most remote areas of Nepal."
Suraj Neupane
Engineering and Operations Manager at Vertex Special Technology
Youth Entrepreneur at LLDC3
Empowering Mali's Youth with Coding and Digital Skills
"In Mali and across other landlocked developing countries, the future is being shaped by young people using technology to create opportunities where none existed before"
Zeinabou Bagayoko
Founder of iCodeVillage and Tech Entrepreneur
Youth Entrepreneur at LLDC3
Green tech pioneers in controlled-environment agriculture and urban farming from Rwanda
"As we look towards the coming decade, it is clear that technology will play a crucial role in unlocking agricultural opportunities in Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)."
By Joseph NIYOMUKIZA
Founder of Greenrev Gr
Youth Entrepreneur at LLDC3
Erasing physical boundaries: the power of the internet in landlocked Mongolia
"Mongolia’s experience demonstrates the power of the internet and information technology to overcome a landlocked geography and erase physical boundaries to allow Mongolians to connect with the global marketplace."
By Bilguun Munkhtur
Co-Founder, Nomaducate
Youth Entrepreneur at LLDC3
Here’s how investing in digital can transform LLDCs
"Investing in digital infrastructure and skills is the most effective step the private sector can take right now to supercharge development in landlocked developing countries."
Doreen Bogdan-Martin
ITU Secretary-General
From farm to forex: Insights from Trade Legacy Burundi
"Trade, to me, is more than just the exchange of goods and services; it is a powerful engine for economic growth, innovation, and social change"
Bokim Beni Nihoze
Founder and CEO of Trade Legacy Burundi
Youth Entrepreneur at LLDC3
Following the herd: Insights from a pastoral tech start-up in Chad
"In LLDCs, agriculture and technology offer significant business opportunities."
Idriss Adoum Idriss,
Founder of Pastor Help and African Coordinator of REJECA
Innovating Beyond Borders: Malawi’s Youth Leveraging Drones for Environmental Management
"Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) are often perceived as isolated and disadvantaged due to their geography, but they also hold immense untapped potential for innovation."
Tadala Makuluni,
CEO and co-founder of Nyasa Aerial Data Solutions
ITC
Landlocked to landlinked: Innovating in cross-border trade
"Landlocked-ness can be turned into landlinked-ness, setting countries on a path towards sustainable and inclusive development."
Pamela Coke-Hamilton,
Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC)
UN Rwanda
Private sector collaboration is at the heart of development
"The path to unlocking the full potential of landlocked countries requires concerted efforts and collaboration across multiple stakeholders."
Stephen Ruzibiza,
CEO Rwanda Private Sector Federation
Our key themes
Trade & Transit
Is being landlocked a trade trap?
Growth Opportunities
What new opportunities in LLDCs?
Digital Development
Is digitalization the solution to landlockedness?
Financing and Investment
How can financing be unlocked in LLDCs?
Latest news and calls
Launch of Landlocked Think-Pieces!!
Get to know our new Think Pieces series, a compilation of short articles from leading voices to inspire a positive change for Landlocked Developing Countries.
We will publish short articles written by leaders of the private sector during April. Come back to our website to stay tuned and read them all.
Closed Call for application for youth entrepreneurs
Hello youth entrepreneurs! Would you like to share your insights and experiences at a global United Nations conference among high level speakers? Is your business in a landlocked developing country (LLDC)? If the answer is YES, for a chance to win travel sponsorship to Rwanda and speak at this unique event.
Closed Call for the submission of Think Pieces
This is a call for Think Pieces to articulate the perspectives of the private sector and relevant agencies and organizations that work with businesses. These short, thought-provoking articles aim to provide an opportunity to bring visibility to the work, ideas and initiatives of the private sector and relevant agencies and organizations that work with businesses. We’ll showcase these on the PSF webpage and maybe even get some good quotes and examples for messaging. Deadline for submission 28 March 2024
Closed Apply for a side event
We want to hear from voices, actors, and priorities of the private sector. The application process is closed.