Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is set to visit Turkmenistan in early August to participate in the third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) being held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone from August 5 to 8.

A Cabinet meeting on Monday endorsed Oli’s upcoming visit to Turkmenistan, a minister said.

Nepal is currently the chair of the Global Coordination Bureau of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Nepal assumed the role in April 2023, taking over from Malawi. The Bureau is tasked with promoting and protecting the interests of LDCs, which are low-income countries facing significant development challenges. Nepal’s chairmanship is for a three-year term.

The conference in Turkmenistan is themed ‘Driving Progress Through Partnerships’ and aims to address the unique challenges faced by LLDCs due to their geographic remoteness. The event will feature political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian activities, with over 30 heads of state expected to attend, along with leaders of international and regional organisations, organisers said.

From Nepal, senior government officials, including vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission, among others, will accompany Prime Minister Oli to the central Asian country.