On February 10th, 2025, World Customs Organization Secretary General Ian Saunders, and the Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Belgium, His Excellency MIKAMI Masahiro, exchanged Notes Verbals establishing the Government of Japan’s financial support for the WCO Security Project for Central Asia and Caucasus. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of Customs administrations in the region to control the illicit movement of small arms and light weapons (SALW), their component parts, and ammunition, while also addressing elements of export control related to battlefield weapons, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The project will strengthen Customs administrations’ capabilities to detect, intercept, and investigate illicit shipments at their borders, at both imports and exports. To achieve this, training activities focused on improving risk management practices and enhancing frontline officers’ ability to identify restricted and prohibited goods will be provided.

The project will commence on March 21st, 2025, and will focus on the Customs Administrations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, the WCO Secretary General noted that “Customs administrations play a vital role in cross-border security and this welcome contribution by Japan will enable the WCO support a number of Members in enhancing their enforcement capabilities.”