14 September 2012: Ministers and officials responsible for trade of the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) met in Almaty, Kazakhstan, at the Fourth Meeting of LLDCs’ Trade Ministers, to define common positions on trade and development needs for LLDCs. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Almaty Ministerial Declaration, which calls for international support to address the negative impacts of climate change on the availability of natural resources, in particular water and arable land.

In the Declaration, LLDC Trade Ministers underscore that climate change adaptation and access to climate friendly technology have become priority issues for many LLDCs. They call on the international community to adopt and to implement pertinent measures that help LLDCs, consistent with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) commitments, to adjust to the impact of a changing climate. The Declaration also welcomes the Astana Green Bridge Partnership Programme, which is expected to encourage the transfer of green technologies to LLDCs. Ministers further recognize the need to address the effects of climate change in the agricultural sector and the elimination of speculation in the global food markets in order to achieve food security.

The Declaration also includes sections on: developing productive capacities and promoting investment; World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations; the need to simplify the WTO Accession Procedure for LLDCs; the Aid for Trade initiative; and international support.

The meeting took place on 12 September 2012. [UN OHRLLS Press Release] [UNCTAD Press Release]