The 20th International Seminar on Capacity Building in Trade and Transport Facilitation was held in the capital of Azerbaijan. It was organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) jointly with the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA, with the support of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan. Representatives from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Turkmenistan, as well as experts from Eastern European countries and the SPECA region, participated in the event. The central theme of the seminar was the digital transformation of multimodal data and document exchange based on UN/CEFACT standards, including the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.
The main objective of the seminar was to strengthen the capacity of countries to implement digital solutions to simplify trade and transport procedures and ensure the interoperability of information systems in multimodal supply chains. In their welcoming remarks, representatives of the UNECE, TRACECA, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, and the World Customs Organization emphasized the strategic importance of digitalization. TRACECA Secretary General Asset Asavbayev noted that digital transformation is one of the organization’s priority areas, and UN/CEFACT standards serve as the foundation for mutual recognition and integration of digital solutions across countries and modes of transport.
The two-day program reviewed the results and next steps of pilot projects on the digitalization of multimodal transportation, including the implementation of the e-CIM/SMGS electronic railway consignment note on TRACECA routes, data exchange between Caspian region ports, the development of eCMR electronic road consignment notes and national digital platforms, and the integration of transport data into customs and regulatory IT systems. Following the seminar, participants reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation and coordination between government agencies, international organizations, and businesses to create seamless digital transport corridors in the TRACECA region and SPECA countries, and presented awards for contributions to the development and digitalization of the TRACECA transport corridor.