The latest Organization of Turkic States (OTS) customs meeting focused on initiatives to enhance cooperation, digitalisation and the development of the Middle Corridor. The meeting concluded with the signing of an eTIR implementation roadmap, setting a 2025 operational deadline for all OTS countries.
Hosted by the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, the 10th Meeting of the Customs Administrations’ Heads of OTS brought together customs leaders from OTS countries, the head of Georgian customs, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and IRU.
Azerbaijan’s strategic role in connecting North-South and East-West transport corridors was a central topic of discussion. The Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee kicked off the talks by stressing the need for harmonised customs procedures and stronger regional cooperation among OTS countries. The importance of fostering e-commerce growth was also emphasised, with the TIR system being identified as a critical tool for achieving these goals.
The Chairman also commended IRU for its efforts in helping reduce transport’s CO₂ emissions.
Harnessing the Middle Corridor’s global potential
Participants highlighted how the Middle Corridor can help diversify supply chains with its competitive edge over alternative routes.
IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto noted the global significance of the Middle Corridor, urging stakeholders to leverage existing transport and transit solutions, in particular eTIR. He underlined the importance of improving hard infrastructure and the even greater need for soft solutions, especially when opportunities to expand hard infrastructure are limited.
Driving innovation, efficiency and sustainability
OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev called for simplified customs documentation and smoother operations along the Middle Corridor. Key proposals included advancing TIR digitalisation, introducing TIR Green Lanes, and implementing eTIR in partnership with UNECE, IRU and OTS.
Paving the way for eTIR
UNECE Deputy Executive Secretary Dmitry Mariyasin reaffirmed the strong collaboration between UNECE and IRU in advancing TIR. He highlighted TIR’s potential for cutting CO₂ emissions and expressed optimism about integrating OTS countries and the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia region into eTIR in 2025.
The meeting concluded with the signing of an eTIR implementation roadmap, establishing a 2025 deadline for full deployment across all OTS countries.
Bilateral talks also addressed TIR digitalisation, risk-based trade facilitation using advance cargo information, and the implementation of TIR Green Lanes to improve trade efficiency.
The agreements reached in Baku underscore the determination of Turkic states to modernise customs systems, enhance trade efficiency, and strengthen their role in the global logistics network.
