REGIONAL INTEGRATION
Investment cost to bring road and rail infrastructure to all LLDCs to global benchmarks in US$B
However, despite these numerous benefits, regional integration remains challenging, and not every initiative achieves its intended goals. Successful regional integration requires strong leadership, commitment and collaboration among stakeholders, along with addressing complex issues such as governance, security concerns and domestic politics. There are several successful regional integration initiatives for landlocked countries including: 1. C ommon Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA): Aims to promote economic integration and development among its 21 member states, including landlocked Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. 2. S outhern African Development Community (SADC): Has 16 member states, including landlocked Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini. 3. C entral Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC): A partnership of 11 countries including landlocked Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. 4. G reater Mekong Subregion (GMS): Promotes economic growth and development among its six member states in Southeast Asia including landlocked Laos and Cambodia.
37.2
70.3
East Asia
South Asia
Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa East Sub-Saharan Africa West
171.6
158.5
Latin America
34.1 37.7
Source: UN-OHRLLS
These initiatives have helped to improve connectivity, reduce
going beyond traditional trade and trade facilitation to include investment, research and development, and policies aimed at accelerating regional industrial development and regional connectivity. Like most development challenges across the globe, overcoming them is made much easier through partnership and cooperation. For the many LLDCs dependent on their neighbors, that cooperation cannot happen quickly enough.
transportation costs, and increase trade among member states. They have also facilitated the sharing of knowledge and best practices, and promoted regional policies that enhance competitiveness and stimulate national production, trade and investment. Landlocked countries in Asia have achieved regional integration through various approaches focused on improving connectivity, lowering transport costs, and expanding trade. This is primarily due to prioritizing cooperation in a broad range of areas,
“Overcoming development
challenges is made much easier through partnership and cooperation.”
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