Foreword

Landlocked States face major disadvantages. Their geographical location not only cuts them off from sea resources, it limits their access to seaborne and international trade. They have to rely on transit countries for access to ports and international markets. That may be one reason why, by and large, coastal regions tend to be more developed than inland ones.

In view of the above, the international community has paid special attention to the situation of landlocked States and the vulnerability that entails. The international community has recognized, and in part addressed, some of the constraints they face through a number of international legal instruments and a plethora of political and normative instruments. In the course of the last century, through the constructive and concerted efforts of both landlocked and transit States, there has been considerable improvement in the situation of landlocked States.

This study reviews the evolution of the regime of landlocked States, with special attention to the link between international law and development. The study provides...