On Thursday 8 October 2026, Luxembourg’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade announced that Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel has been appointed as co-chair of the High-Level Group on Freedom of Transit for Landlocked Developing Countries (HLP-FoT).
According to the ministry, the appointment by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will see Minister Bettel serve on the group alongside Nataša Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia, and Mokgweetsi Masisi, former President of the Republic of Botswana.
The initiative aims to advance the internationally recognised right of landlocked developing countries to access global markets through efficient, reliable and economically affordable transit systems. It forms part of the Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2024–2034.
The group will examine the implementation of existing international legal instruments and agreements relating to freedom of transit, identify gaps and obstacles to their implementation, and formulate recommendations to strengthen transit systems for landlocked developing countries in accordance with international law.
The ministry highlighted that the group would operate as an independent, impartial and technical body, bringing together representatives of Member States, international organisations, the private sector, academia and independent experts. The group’s final recommendations will be presented to Member States during the 82nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The ministry said: “For the 32 landlocked developing countries, which are home to more than 600 million people, the lack of direct access to the sea remains a major structural obstacle to sustainable development. These countries continue to face disproportionately high transport and trade costs, more limited participation in international trade and increased vulnerability to disruptions in supply chains.”
