Statement by Ms. Araksya Babikyan, Attaché of the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN, at the General Discussion of the UNGA77 Second Committee

13 October, 2022

Madam Chair,

The Delegation of Armenia would like to thank Under-Secretary-General H.E. Rabab Fatima for the presentation of the Secretary-General’s report on the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014–2024 which illustrates the challenges that LLDCs are facing in the wake of the ongoing triple - food, energy and finance crisis and identifies measures to accelerate the full and timely implementation of the VPoA.

We support the recommendations included in the SG’s report on the need of a transformative recovery measures to build the long-term resilience for LLDCs and in this context we commend Secretary General’s renewed commitment to attach greater emphasis to the advancement of the landlocked developing countries and support the capacities of OHRLLS to promote LLDC’s agenda within the UN system and beyond. Coordinated and result-oriented actions are required to mobilize adequate resources to enhance investments and provide technical assistance to the LLDCs in line with the main priorities of the Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda.

Madam Chair,

Armenia underscores the importance of regional and sub-regional cooperation and connectivity through trade, transport and people-to-people contacts. For the development of regional connectivity, we are guided by the principles of inclusivity, transparency, equal and non-discriminatory partnership and respect for the norms of the international law.

In addition to the natural geographical constraints, Armenia continues to face the illegal land blockade by some of its neighbors, which, among other negative developmental implications, restrict Armenia’s access to the sea, significantly increasing the costs of imports and exports, as well as accessibility to the transit communication routes. Such policies directly contradict the letter and spirit of the 2030 Agenda and impede realization of economic and social rights and right to development, thus negatively affecting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Madam Chair,

Armenia attaches special importance to the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action. We have recently embarked on the renewal of Armenia’s National Action Plan 2014-2024 for the implementation of the VPoA which is a comprehensive set of actions and measures, with a defined timetable for implementation of Programme, aimed at integrating the six priority targets of the Programme into the national policies and strategies at the national and regional levels with the special focus on digital transformation and information technologies. The Government of Armenia prioritizes development of ICT as an important tool to lower costs and facilitate access to foreign markets, thus contributing to increase of foreign trade.

Madam Chair,

In conclusion, let me reiterate that Armenia remains fully committed to effective multilateral cooperation to advance the LLDC’s agenda. As a member of the Bureau of the Group of the LLDCs, we look forward to working with all our partners to achieve progress in the implementation of the VPoA and formulate a renewed set of measures for a comprehensive response to the needs and priorities of LLDCs ahead of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. We are convinced that the fruitful discussions within the Second Committee will lay a strong ground for the successful launch of the preparatory process to the Conference with the aim of establishment a new and reinvigorated action program for landlocked developing countries.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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