International Customs Conference Held in Ashgabat: Interregional Cooperation Reaches a New Level

On April 29–30, 2026, the international conference titled "The Role of the Regional Training Center in Strengthening Interregional Connectivity" was held in the capital city of Ashgabat, organized by the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. This two-day event served as an important platform for enhancing the activities of customs authorities and international experience sharing. High-level representatives from various parts of the world attended the conference: - Participating Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Georgia, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. - Online Participation: Representatives from the Regional Training Centers of Japan and Hungary joined the event via a digital system. - International Organizations: Representatives of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretariat and heads of the WCO Regional Office in Baku participated. Furthermore, diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and representatives of international organizations operating in the country attended the opening ceremony. Key Issues on the Agenda During the conference, modern development trends in the customs system were discussed. The primary focus areas were: - Professional Development: Aligning the knowledge and practical skills of customs officers with international standards. - Experience Exchange: Mutual consultations on using the most modern methods in staff training. - Practical Cooperation: Actively intensifying relations between Regional Training Centers. The second day of the event continued at the WCO Regional Training Center in Turkmenistan. Guests closely familiarized themselves with the facilities, educational opportunities, and technical equipment provided there. Additionally, foreign delegates visited the Central Office of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. A significant bilateral meeting was also held within the framework of the conference. During the talks between the Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and the Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, views were exchanged on the current state and promising areas of customs relations between the two neighboring states. This international conference proved once again that Turkmenistan's role as a strategic hub in regional and international customs cooperation continues to grow.