Phase II activities of the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP)  in Uzbekistan are ongoing, with recent support provided through a virtual assistance session on integrity. The two sessions, held on 26 and 27 August, focused on reviewing and refining priority areas of the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan (CC) Integrity Action Plan, strengthening understanding of the WCO tools available to support implementation, and reinforcing the foundation for sustained integrity development within the Customs administration.

During the sessions, the participants reviewed the progress of integrity and anti-corruption initiatives in the country and identified the Customs units that will participate in the Integrity Working Group.

Furthermore, the participants assessed the status of CC against the first four key elements of the WCO Integrity Development Guide checklist. Discussions focused on integrity and corruption risks, key implementation challenges, areas requiring improvement, as well as strategic and operational recommendations with related mitigation measures.

Through these sessions, the CC aims to strengthen institutional alignment with the principles and instruments of the WCO Integrity Development Guide, enhance the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures by identifying weaknesses and implementing targeted actions, and foster a culture of ethical conduct to combat illicit activities within the administration.

The WCO will continue supporting Uzbekistan in its efforts to review their Integrity Action Plan.

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