At the invitation of the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the Association of International Road Carriers of Uzbekistan (AIRCUZ), the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, spoke at the International Road Transport Conference held on 13 September 2023, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, under the theme Driving Resilience and Prosperity.
In his video address, Dr. Mikuriya recognized the vital role road carriers play in enhancing the “soft infrastructure” at the border, and highlighted the importance of applying modern Customs procedures to ensure efficient clearance while safeguarding revenue collection and society. The Secretary General commended all Central Asian countries for completing their accession to the WCO Revised Kyoto Convention, which promotes transparency, predictability of supply chains, and a risk-based approach. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, which are crucial in enhancing transport connectivity, strengthening supply chain resilience, and navigating the challenges that lie ahead.
Dr. Mikuriya concluded his remarks by congratulating the Association of International Road Carriers of Uzbekistan on its 30th anniversary, and acknowledged the 75th anniversary of the International Road Transport Union, which is a valuable member of the WCO Private Sector Consultative Group.