United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Saudi Arabia’s Deemah AlYahya to the UN High-Level Panel on Freedom of Transit for Landlocked Developing Countries, according to an announcement by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) on Thursday, 1 October.
AlYahya, who serves as Secretary-General of the DCO, represents the Arab region on the panel and is currently serving her second term at the organisation.
The panel brings together representatives and experts from governments, international organisations, the private sector, and academia to examine barriers affecting the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries.
Its work will focus on how existing international laws and agreements governing freedom of transit are applied, identifying gaps and developing recommendations to improve access to global markets and strengthen transit systems. Its final recommendations are expected to be presented to UN member states during the 82nd session of the UN General Assembly.
AlYahya has experience in international cooperation, policymaking, multilateral diplomacy, and the digital economy. Before leading the DCO, she held several roles related to digital transformation and innovation in Saudi Arabia.
“For countries facing unique geographic and development challenges, we need to innovate, challenge traditional approaches, and find new models and methods fit for a new era,” AlYahya said following her appointment.
The panel was established under the Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for 2024–2034, a UN framework aimed at addressing the development challenges faced by countries without direct access to the sea.
According to the UN, the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries are home to more than 570 million people and face challenges including higher trade and transport costs, limited connectivity, and restricted access to international markets.
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