itispertinentthatinternationalcooperationaddressesthesocioeconomicimpactofCOVID-19andfocusedonthemostdisadvantagedandvulnerablepeopleandcountries,especiallytheLeastDevelopingCountries(LDCs),SmallIslandsDevelopingStates(SIDS),LandlockedDevelopingStates(LLDCs)andcountriesinconflictandthoseemergingfromconflict,inordertoalleviatetheirstructuralchallengesthatarefurtherexacerbatedbythepandemic

he development ofmulti-modal transport infrastructure and unhindered transit rights of landlocked nations are critical to their sustainable development.

LDCs and LLDCs need reliable and sustainable financing, partnerships, and technology transfer to overcome their structural impedimentsto benefit from globalization.

The situation now has been exacerbated by the devastating impacts of the pandemic on sustainable development, with the most vulnerable countries, particularly the landlocked least developed countries such as Lesotho being the hardest hit. These countries therefore require sustainable and inclusive recovery strategies to accelerate progress towards the full implementation of the 2030 agenda.

mplementation of the 2030 Agenda and SDGshas suffered a considerable setback. Least Developed countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States –some 91 countries in total –are disproportionately affected by the pandemic given their limited means to respond to shocks and vulnerability to a debt crisis