Luncheon for Representatives of the Landlocked Developing Countries was held in Bangkok on Tuesday, 16 May, 2017 from 12.00-13:30 pm at the Public Foyer, United Nations Conference Center, United Nations ESCAP. The luncheon was organized jointly by the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries (ITT for LLDCs) and Permanent Mission of Mongolia to UN-ESCAP.
The “Luncheon” provided an information of the recent activities of the ITT for LLDCs and a platform for constructive dialogue on the utilization of the ITT for LLDCs in general. The most essential part of the luncheon was the reflecting and explanation of the Multilateral Agreement for the Establishment of an International Think Tank, which has to be ratified by at least 10 LLDCs to make the ITT for LLDCs an Intergovernmental Organization.
At the outset of the luncheon, Mr. Odbayar Erdenetsogt, Ambassador-at-Large and Interim Director of the International Think Tank, welcomed the distinguished guests to the photo exhibition, which demonstrated recent activities of the International Think Tank since formally launched by the former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2009.
Furthermore, the opening proceeded with a welcoming speech by H.E. Mr.Tugsbilguun Tumurkhuleg, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Mongolia to ESCAP, followed by Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary of UN-ESCAP and Mr. Erdenebileg Sandagdorj, Chief of UN-OHRLLS.
The luncheon continued with a presentation on the activities and achievements of the ITT for LLDCs followed by interventions from partners and participants of the ITT for LLDC. Furthermore International Think Tank for LLDCs introduced final drafts of 4 upcoming research papers during the luncheon.
- “International Trade Connectivity – Revisiting ‘Dutch Disease’: The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Diversification on the International Trade and Food Security of Laos” (please click here for a short video introduction to the study itself),
- “ICT Connectivity – The Process of Technology Leapfrogging: Insights from the National ICT Infrastructure Development Journey of Azerbaijan” (please click here for a short video introduction to the study itself),
- “Transport Connectivity-Modelling the Potential for Aviation Liberalization in Central Asia” (please click here for a short video introduction to the study itself),
- “Bilateral Transit and Transportation Agreements of LLDCs: Benefits and Bottlenecks – Case India and Nepal”.