Meeting of heads of Customs Administrations of Organization of Turkic States takes place in Bishkek
AKIPRESS.COM – The 12th meeting of the heads of Customs Administrations of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held in Bishkek on October 12, the OTS press service reported.
The meeting was chaired by Chairman of the State Customs Service of Kyrgyzstan Ulan Kimsanov, and attended by Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan Shahin Baghirov, Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of Kazakhstan Zhandos Duisembiyev, Deputy Minister of Trade and Head of Customs Administration of Türkiye Sezai Ucarmak, Chairman of the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan Akmalkhuja Mavlonov and Secretary General of the OTS Kubanychbek Omuraliev.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan Dovlet Baryyev, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Ian Saunders, and Director of TIR & Transit Services at the International Road Transport Union (IRU) Tatiana Rey-Bellet.
In his address, Secretary General Omuraliev emphasized the importance of closer customs cooperation in facilitating trade and transit along the Middle Corridor. He highlighted progress in digital TIR projects, efforts to make the eTIR system operational across the OTS region, and cooperation on e-CMR.
The Secretary General proposed the development of an Action Plan on Customs Cooperation for 2027–2031 to set clear priorities, coordinate activities and ensure continuity.
During the meeting, the heads of Customs Administrations reviewed the implementation of previous decisions and discussed further steps under the Agreement on the Establishment of a Simplified Customs Corridor.
Discussions also covered digital transformation, electronic data exchange, cooperation in risk management and customs laboratories.
At the end of the meeting, the heads of Customs Administrations signed the Protocol setting out priorities and practical steps for further cooperation.
The heads of delegations also expressed their appreciation to Secretary General Omuraliev for his dedicated service and contribution to strengthening cooperation within the OTS throughout his tenure.
In recognition of his contribution to customs cooperation across the OTS region, the heads of Customs Administrations of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan presented Secretary General Omuraliev with their respective badges of honour: “For Consolidation of Customs Cooperation”, “??????????? ү?ү?” (“For Partnership”) and “Xalqaro hamkorlik uchun” (“For International Cooperation”).
The heads of delegations agreed to convene the 13th meeting of the heads of Customs Administrations of the OTS in Türkiye in 2027.
