Minister Mpotjoana Holds Strategic Talks with UN Under-Secretary-General Ahead of LLDC3 in Turkmenistan

On 4 August 2025, ahead of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Honourable Lejone Mpotjoana, met with UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, H.E. Fatima Rabab, in Awaza, Turkmenistan.

Honourable Mpotjoana, leading Lesotho’s delegation to LLDC3, discussed pressing challenges and opportunities for landlocked nations ahead of the conference scheduled for 5–8 August 2025. Talks focused on structural transformation for LDCs and LLDCs, with emphasis on Africa’s trade barriers, climate resilience, and Lesotho’s growing potential as a clean energy exporter.

A key point of the meeting was Lesotho’s formal bid to host a Regional Agriculture Research Hub under the Awaza Programme of Action 2024–2034. The proposed hub would advance food security through high-yield, climate-resilient crops, sustainable farming practices, improved soil health, advanced irrigation systems, and better disease and pest management. It would also support inclusive agricultural value chains, farmer training, and evidence-based policies to attract financing, enable technology transfer, and drive innovation.

Honourable Mpotjoana linked the proposal to His Majesty King Letsie III’s roles as African Union Champion of Nutrition and FAO Ambassador for Nutrition, positioning Lesotho as a leader in nutrition advocacy and sustainable agriculture.

H.E. Rabab welcomed Lesotho’s proactive approach, noting its alignment with the Awaza Programme’s objectives to address LLDCs’ geographic constraints through collaborative research and policy action.

The LLDC3 conference will gather global leaders to adopt strategies for integrating LLDCs into global trade, enhancing climate action, and accelerating technological advancement. Lesotho’s bid underscores its commitment to regional sustainability and long-term development goals.