AWAZA: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a courtesy meeting today with Jin Liqun, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), on the sidelines of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).

The meeting took place amid a series of high-level diplomatic engagements during the ongoing international summit.

According to officials, discussions focused on potential cooperation in infrastructure financing for landlocked nations like Nepal, which face significant connectivity and development challenges.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Oli also held bilateral talks with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, where both sides discussed enhancing regional cooperation and connectivity.

Earlier that day, he co-chaired a roundtable session on Trade Facilitation and Regional Cooperation, emphasizing the need to reduce trade barriers, improve infrastructure, and promote economic integration among LLDCs.

PM Oli also held a meeting on Wednesday with UN Under-Secretary-General Rabab Fatima, the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States.

Discussions centered on Nepal’s smooth graduation from LDC status by 2026. PM Oli had earlier delivered Nepal’s national statement, calling on the global community to address structural barriers that hinder the development of landlocked nations.

Nepal currently chairs the LLDC group, representing 32 countries in this critical global platform.