Peace and Trust Highlighted as Drivers of Sustainable Development at LLDC3 Civil Society Forum

The session, “International Year of Peace and Trust: The Momentum to Implement SDG 16 – Promoting Peaceful and Inclusive Societies for Sustainable Development,” brought together government officials, United Nations representatives, civil society leaders, and regional experts to discuss how trust, dialogue, and strong institutions can accelerate progress for LLDCs.

Speakers highlighted that political stability and inclusive governance are crucial for attracting investment, maintaining connectivity, and enabling sustainable economic growth in landlocked contexts. Turkmenistan’s initiative at the UN General Assembly to declare 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust was commended as a demonstration of the country’s commitment to preventive diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.

Delivering remarks at the event, Dmitry Shlapachenko, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, emphasized that peace, trust, and effective institutions are fundamental enablers of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16. He underlined that inclusive governance and civic participation are essential to resilient and just societies, citing UN support for Turkmenistan’s National Human Rights Action Plan 2021–2025 and the strengthening of the Ombudsperson’s Office to enhance transparency and accountability.

The discussion aligned with the Awaza Programme of Action, to be adopted at LLDC3, which underscores that political stability and regional cooperation are key drivers of sustainable development for landlocked nations. Participants agreed that the International Year of Peace and Trust offers a valuable opportunity to translate dialogue into concrete development gains and foster inclusive, resilient societies.