Moroccan diplomat Omar Hilale has been elected vice-president of the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), currently underway in Turkmenistan. This appointment highlights Morocco’s expanding role and influence within multilateral diplomacy.
The plenary session, held on Tuesday in Awaza, western Turkmenistan, saw Morocco secure the vice-presidency position, with Ambassador Omar Hilale, the country’s permanent representative to the UN, representing the Kingdom.
The conference, running from August 5 to 8, brings together 32 landlocked nations along with their international partners to assess progress on the Vienna Programme of Action (2014–2024) and to agree on a new decade-long strategic plan.
Originally scheduled for 2024 but postponed due to logistical challenges, the gathering addresses the unique difficulties faced by LLDCs, which constitute nearly 9% of the global population and roughly one-sixth of UN member states.
These countries grapple with high trade costs, limited access to sea routes, inadequate infrastructure, and logistical hurdles that impede their development.
Speaking to the press, Omar Hilale welcomed his election as recognition of Morocco’s active diplomatic engagement in South-South cooperation. He affirmed that the role would enable the Kingdom to “actively participate in substantive debates and parallel meetings.”
The conference aims to adopt a renewed political declaration and a comprehensive action plan focusing on enhancing physical and digital connectivity, boosting investment in logistics corridors, facilitating cross-border trade, and strengthening institutional capacities. Donor countries, UN agencies, and regional organizations are all involved.
Hilale also took the opportunity to highlight Morocco’s commitments to Sahel nations, referencing two key initiatives championed by King Mohammed VI: the Atlantic Initiative, which seeks to grant maritime access to landlocked West African countries through Moroccan port infrastructure, and the regional opening-up program designed to bolster regional integration and resilience among landlocked states.
Morocco’s vice-presidency reflects the Kingdom’s sustained diplomatic dedication to African development, interregional cooperation, and sustainable growth, signalling a broader shift towards diversified regional leadership within the UN system.
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