A WCO workshop, the second activity for April under the second phase of the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 21 to 25 April 2025, to support Uzbekistan's AEO Programme. It aimed to identify current challenges and areas of opportunity and develop an initial enhancement plan.

Over 35 representatives from Customs, the private sector, and other government agencies actively participated in the workshop. Discussions focused on collaborative subjects such as standardized AEO treatment, improving inter-agency recognition of AEO status, and strengthening public-private cooperation.

Through open and frank discussions, the participants elaborated a detailed action plan to improve the AEO Programme based on the best practices and identified challenges and opportunities. Actions in this plan included simplifying the AEO application process and identifying new benefits, including those offered by other border agencies.

Furthermore, these stakeholders identified the need for regular meetings between border agencies to build strong, full-spectrum cooperation and establish a Customs-AEO relationship management programme to ensure sustained collaboration and coordination.

The Customs Committee is committed to implementing this AEO Action Plan with the support of the GTFP-II.

For more information on the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), please contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org.