The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, contributed a video message to the 22nd Ministerial Conference of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program. The Conference was held under the theme “Reinvigorating Regional Cooperation in Times of Change” in Tbilisi, Geogia on 30 November 2023. High-level representatives, including Ministers from Azerbaijan, the People’s Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, attended the event.

In his address, Dr. Mikuriya articulated the WCO’s continuous support to the CAREC countries to ensure business continuity at global and regional levels through modernization of border procedures, use of digital technology, and enhanced Customs cooperation. In addition, he emphasized the importance of Customs in implementing various Multilateral Environment Agreements, addressing the illicit trade in hazardous waste and ozone-depleting substances, thus consolidating its role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

The CAREC Program is a partnership of 11 countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, the People’s Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and development partners working together to promote development through cooperation, leading to accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction.