Astana, Kazakhstan — From 8 to 11 July 2025, the Central Asia and Caucasus Security Project (CCASP), funded by the Government of Japan, held its inaugural Regional Awareness Workshop in Astana. The event brought together senior officials from the Customs administrations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The workshop aimed to raise awareness of the growing threats posed by the illicit cross-border movement of small arms and light weapons (SALW), including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and to assess the specific needs of beneficiary Members. These insights will inform the planning and implementation of upcoming national training activities under the CCASP framework.

The high-level event opened with welcome remarks from Mr. Zhanbolat ALMAZOV, Acting Director of the Customs Control Department of the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan and the World Customs Organization (WCO) for supporting this important initiative, emphasizing the critical need for intergovernmental cooperation in addressing SALW-related threats.

H.E. Yasumasa IIJIMA, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Kazakhstan, delivered opening remarks highlighting Japan’s ongoing commitment to strengthening customs security. He commended participants for their active engagement and efforts to enhance border enforcement in their respective countries.

Representing the WCO Secretariat, Mr. Andrew REYNOLDS, CCASP Project Coordinator, thanked the State Revenue Committee of Kazakhstan for hosting the event and expressed deep gratitude to the Government of Japan for its continued support. He underscored that the project would play a key role in building frontline enforcement and detection capabilities across Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

The workshop featured expert contributions from the World Customs Organization, INTERPOL, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The OSCE’s participation outlined the multifaceted approach required to address regional security challenges, while INTERPOL’s longstanding collaboration with the WCO in enforcement matters highlighted the importance of sustained international partnerships.

The presence of these international organizations emphasized the critical role of coordinated efforts, both at the national and international levels, in effectively combating the illicit trafficking of SALW and associated threats in the region.

Launched in April 2025, the CCASP Project aims to support Customs administrations across Central Asia and the Caucasus in combating the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW), including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

For more information regarding the project, please contact the CCASP Project Team (CCASP@wcoomd.org).