Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Norberto Moretti, at theAnnual Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries - September 26th, 2025
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Brazil is pleased to take the floor at this meeting. We celebrate the successful holding of the Third UN Conference on LLDCs, convened under the theme “Driving Progress through Partnerships.” The adoption of the Awaza Programme of Action for the Decade 2024–2034 marks a significant step in advancing the special development agenda of LLDCs.
This importante group of countries face unique challenges. Geographic constraints, limited access to global markets, high transport and logistics costs, and dependence on primary commodities, all weigh heavily on the growth and prosperity of these countries. Addressing these hurdles requires concerted efforts to foster trade, strengthen regional integration, and unlock the investments needed for infrastructure, innovation, education, and climate resilience. Investments in multimodal and integrated transport routes, corridors, and resilient infrastructure are indispensable to overcome structural obstacles and promote sustainable development in LLDCs.
Brazil has seen firsthand the value of regional partnerships in supporting landlocked neighbors. Initiatives under the umbrella of Mercosur and ALADI, as well as concrete bilateral cooperation projects, demonstrate the potential of regional integration to bring tangible benefits. The Bolivia–Brazil gas pipeline, the Paraná–Paraguay–Uruguay Waterway, and the Agreement on International Terrestrial Transport (ATIT) are examples of how collaborative infrastructure and transport agreements can reduce costs, enhance connectivity, and stimulate trade. These initiatives reflect Brazil’s commitment to fostering the prosperity of landlocked neighbors, namely Bolivia and Paraguay, while deepening regional solidarity and interdependence.
The international community must provide an enabling environment for such efforts. This requires strengthened international economic cooperation, including enhanced tax cooperation to ensure the fair allocation of taxing rights across jurisdictions, and a reformed international financial architecture to support debt relief, fiscal sustainability, and the scaling up of investments in infrastructure and diversification. In this regard, Brazil recalls the importance of implementing the outcomes of the Seville Commitment, particularly on debt, taxation, and systemic issues relating to MDBs and IFIs.
Excellencies,
Trade remains a vital driver for LLDCs’ integration into the global economy. Yet, as President Lula pointed out earlier this week, we cannot ignore that few areas have regressed as much as the multilateral trading system. Unilateral and arbitrary measures have eroded the Most-Favored Nation principle, disrupted value chains, and raised costs. Equally troubling is the unjust and inverted application of special and differential treatment in the WTO, which pressures developing countries—including LLDCs—to concede more in tariff reductions and market access, while their exports face unfair and arbitrary high barriers. Such practices exacerbate inequalities, distort trade flows, and foster fragmentation and instability. The rules-based multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, must be safeguarded as a foundation for inclusive and sustainable development.
Excellencies,
Brazil stands in solidarity with LLDCs. We will continue to work together to advance the Awaza Programme of Action in line with national strategies, plans, and priorities, strengthen partnerships, promote infrastructure and connectivity, and defend a fair and open multilateral system that enables LLDCs to achieve their full potential.
Thank you.