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Documents on the development of international road transportation signed within the framework of the IGC TRACECA

Mon, 25 May 2026 20:23:00 +0800

One of the key decisions was the signing of the Agreement on Single Transit Permit (STP) of TRACECA the work on which had been carried out over several years. The document was signed by the heads of delegations of 5 countries – the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Ukraine and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The introduction of the STP will make it possible to transition from the use of multiple paper permits to a single electronic permit. In accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, the TRACECA STP will be issued exclusively in electronic format through a single web portal with the assignment of a unique identification number and barcode. The introduction of the STP mechanism is expected to simplify administrative procedures, accelerate border crossing and enhance the transparency of the transportation process. Speaking at the Meeting, the Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA, Mr. Asset Assavbayev, noted that the Agreement on Single Transit Permit is a logical continuation of one of the fundamental objectives of the Basic Multilateral Agreement – the creation of conditions for free and unimpeded transit of goods along the routes of the TRACECA corridor. The Meeting participants also emphasized the importance of further digitalization of transport processes, introduction of electronic documents and development of multilateral cooperation mechanisms in the field of international transportation. Thus, during the ceremony, the signing of the Decision on making amendments to the Technical Document “TRACECA Multilateral Permit” User Manual was announced. The document was signed by 7 countries – the Republic of Armenia, Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, the Republic of Türkiye and Ukraine. The TRACECA Multilateral Permit is a unified document that gives road carriers the legal right to carry out international bilateral and transit transportation, as well as the delivery of goods from third countries across the territories of the participating states of the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia corridor, without the need to obtain additional one-time bilateral permits. The Parties acknowledged that the TRACECA Multilateral Permits System remains one of the practical mechanisms for the development of international road transit in the region. The main objective of using this multilateral permit form is the fundamental simplification of administrative procedures for international road carriers when crossing multiple state borders.

Kazakhstan officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:36:00 +0800

The opening ceremony of the Meeting was chaired by the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Nurlan Sauranbayev, who welcomed the participants in Astana. In his speech, the Minister noted that the holding of the IGC TRACECA Meeting in Kazakhstan for the second time, following 2007, highlights the importance of further strengthening transport cooperation among the participating countries, as well as the significance of the TRACECA corridor as one of the key instruments for ensuring regional connectivity in current conditions.

The procedure for the transfer of the Chairmanship was carried out through the handover of the TRACECA Book, containing the core document – the Basic Multilateral Agreement on International Transport for Development of the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia Corridor (MLA), by the National Secretary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Amin Taraffo, to the Chairman of the IGC TRACECA, Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nurlan Sauranbayev.

“Being located at the heart of the Eurasian continent, Kazakhstan is consistently strengthening its role as a key transit and logistics hub through the development of transport infrastructure, multimodal transport, seaports and modern digital solutions,” emphasized Minister Sauranbayev. The priority areas of the Chairmanship were identified as the development of transportation through the Caspian basin, harmonisation of legislation, digitalization of transport processes and other key issues.

The heads of delegations from the 14 MLA Parties and representatives of international organizations, including ECO, BSEC, IRU, ECAC, UN ESCAP, UNECE, OTIF and others also presented their speeches at the Meeting.

One of the key items of the Agenda was the presentation of the Activities Report by the Secretary General on his work in the capacity of Secretary General.

In addition, within the framework of the Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the IGC TRACECA, five participating states of TRACECA — the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Ukraine and the Republic of Uzbekistan — signed the Agreement on Single Transit Permit (STP) of TRACECA, aimed at the simplification of international road transportation within the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia corridor.

The remaining TRACECA participating states are currently conducting the relevant domestic procedures required for accession to the Agreement.

Furthermore, the decision on making amendments to the Technical Document “TRACECA Multilateral Permit. User Manual” was officially signed. The signing of the updated technical document took place with the participation of the heads of delegations of the Republic of Armenia, Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Romania, the Republic of Türkiye and Ukraine.

At the Meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA, elections of the new Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC were held. Following the vote, the Deputy Minister of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Jasurbek Choriev, was elected as the new Secretary General. In his first speech, Mr. Jasurbek Choriev thanked the participating countries for their trust and emphasized the need to further strengthen cooperation and engage all Parties in the work of the organization. “I am confident that only with the equal support of all participating states we will be able to realize the potential of TRACECA and bring cooperation to a new level,” stated Mr. Choriev.

The closing statement was delivered by the outgoing head of the organization, Mr. Asset Assavbayev, in connection with the completion of his six-year mandate. “Six years is a significant period in the life of any international organization. Looking back, I can say with confidence that these were years of active and substantive work, filled with tangible results for the development of the TRACECA corridor. These results became possible thanks to joint work of the participating states, National Secretaries and experts who throughout this entire period contributed to the development of the organization. I am deeply grateful to all for their support and constructive engagement,” stated Mr. Assavbayev.

In conclusion, the Final Resolutions were signed, reflecting the outcomes of the work carried out and formulating recommendations for further steps.

For reference:

• The introduction of the TRACECA Single Transit Permit mechanism will be an important step towards the digitalization of international road transportation, the simplification of administrative procedures, the acceleration of border crossing and the enhancement of the transparency of transport operations. The TRACECA Single Transit Permit will be issued exclusively in electronic format through a single web portal with the assignment of a unique identification number and barcode.

The Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) operates in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the IGC TRACECA. The decisions and recommendations adopted by the IGC TRACECA define the main areas of activity of the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA, headquartered in Baku, the Republic of Azerbaijan.

• TRACECA unites the transport systems of 14 Parties of the Basic Multilateral Agreement (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan), cooperating within the framework of the development of the international transport corridor Europe-the Caucasus-Asia. The Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA has Permanent Representatives (National Secretaries) in each of the MLA Parties. Observer status at the IGC TRACECA is held by the Hellenic Republic, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania.

• Currently, the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA has signed 12 Memoranda of understanding and cooperation with international and regional organizations in various transport sectors, including UNECE, UN ESCAP, the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the Organization for Cooperation of Railways (OSJD), the International Union of Railways (UIC), the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the International Road Federation (IRF), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Association (TITR), the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC) and other international agencies. Work is currently ongoing on the finalization of the text and preparation for the signing of a Memorandum of cooperation with the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF).

On 14 May 2026, the Meeting of the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA was held in Astana, the Republic of Kazakhstan

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:27:00 +0800

The Meeting was attended by Permanent Representatives (National Secretaries), experts from the MLA Parties and staff members of the Permanent Secretariat. The Agenda of the Permanent Secretariat Meeting included the items related to the preparation of documents for the Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the IGC TRACECA. In particular, the Meeting participants discussed the draft Strategy of the IGC TRACECA for development of the international transport corridor Europe-the Caucasus-Asia for 2027–2036 and the draft Action Plan for 2027–2030 for its implementation. Based on the outcomes of the discussions, the Parties agreed to continue work on the draft Strategy and the finalization of the Action Plan by the end of 2026. Within the framework of the discussion on the issue of establishing the TRACECA Business Council, the Parties agreed to continue work on this matter, taking into account its relevance for the development of interaction between government bodies and representatives of the business community of the TRACECA participating countries, as well as the need for further elaboration of the mechanisms for the functioning of the Council. In addition, the Agenda covered issues of monitoring the implementation of IGC decisions by the MLA Parties and the status of accession to TRACECA international agreements, joint border crossing points, transport statistics from international organizations related to TRACECA corridor. One of the outcomes of the lengthy discussions was the unanimous approval of the TRACECA Reform Concept, aimed at improving the activities of TRACECA, enhancing the effectiveness of interaction among the participating countries, and further strengthening its role as an international platform for the development of transport cooperation. Particular attention was paid to the issues of digitalization of the TRACECA corridor, including the legal status of digital transport documents in the Middle Corridor, the draft Agreement on the application of electronic documents on the ITC TRACECA, as well as the work carried out on the e-CIM/SMGS consignment note pilot project. Along with that, the MLA Parties considered and adopted the Agenda items on the financing of the PS IGC TRACECA, including the financial report on budget execution for 2025, the report of the Auditing Team, the draft PS IGC TRACECA budget for 2027, the composition of the Auditing Team and the determination of the amount of annual contributions of the MLA Parties for 2027 and 2028. The TRACECA member countries welcomed the readiness of the Kyrgyz Republic to accede to the TRACECA Multilateral Permits System, as well as the readiness of the Parties to sign the Agreement on Single Transit Permit of TRACECA, noting the importance of these initiatives for the further improvement of international road transportation and the development of the transit potential of the TRACECA corridor. Based on the outcomes of the Permanent Secretariat Meeting, the final package of documents was considered and approved for its further submission and adoption at the Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the IGC TRACECA.

TRACECA and UNECE promote a new phase of multimodal digital corridor development at an international seminar in Astana

Thu, 14 May 2026 06:47:00 +0800

The Seminar is attended by the representatives of TRACECA member countries, international and regional organisations, including UNECE, UN/CEFACT, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), OSJD, GIZ, the World Customs Organization and other relevant bodies. Among the participants are the representatives of transport and digital authorities of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, and other countries of the region. The main objective of the Seminar is to develop practical approaches to the formation of multimodal digital transport corridors using UN/CEFACT standards, as well as to promote compatible solutions in the field of transport data exchange in the region. Particular attention is paid to the issues of information system interoperability, inter-agency coordination, mutual recognition of electronic documents and the development of pilot projects on the digitalization of multimodal transportation. The Seminar was opened with welcoming addresses by the Head of the Transport and Logistics Project Office under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ms. Aluа Korpebayeva, the Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA, Mr. Asset Assavbayev and the Head of the Ukrainian Delegation to UN/CEFACT, Mr. Oleg Platonov. In his address to the Seminar participants, the Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA, Mr. Asset Assavbayev, emphasized that the digital transformation of transport and trade is becoming a key condition for the competitiveness of international transport routes and the effective functioning of transit corridors. “Today, the future of transport corridors is determined not only by the quality of physical infrastructure, but also by how quickly, securely and reliably data accompanying cargo moves,” stated the TRACECA Secretary General. “Digitalization is one of the strategic priorities for TRACECA corridor development. Special focus is on the need to transition from individual pilot solutions to the creation of a coherent cross-border architecture for digital interaction, based on UN/CEFACT international standards and the mutual recognition of electronic transport documents and data.” Within the policy segment of the first day of the Seminar, moderated by Secretary General Assavbayev, issues of inter-agency coordination of the digitalization of multimodal data and cargo document exchange were discussed, including the development of national platforms, the integration of transport and customs systems, as well as the establishment of digital transport corridor management mechanisms. Reports were presented by the representatives of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan, JSC NC KTZ, QazTrade and other speakers. Separate sessions were devoted to the issues of the methodology for the formation of multimodal digital corridors using UN/CEFACT standards and the development of the multimodal data model MMT RDM. The approaches of UNECE, TRACECA, ADB and other international partners were also discussed. Considerable attention was paid to the development and expansion of pilot projects on the digitalization of multimodal transportation, including the implementation of the e-CIM/SMGS railway consignment note project along TRACECA routes, the digitalization of data exchange between Caspian seaports, the development of e-CMR projects, and issues of integrating transport data into government and customs IT systems. Based on the outcomes of the Seminar, it is expected that practical recommendations will be developed on the further development of multimodal digital transport corridors, the expansion of pilot projects, the improvement of electronic transport data and document exchange, as well as the strengthening of coordination between government bodies, international organizations and the private sector in the TRACECA region and SPECA countries.

For reference:

The event is being held at the premises of Nazarbayev University in Astana.
The Seminar is being held in a hybrid format, enabling participation of representatives of countries and international organizations both in person and online.
TRACECA unites 14 member countries of the international transport corridor Europe–the Caucasus–Asia and serves as a platform for the development of international cooperation in the field of transport, trade, logistics and digitalization of multimodal transportation.
At the Seminar, representatives of the Organization for Cooperation of Railways (OSJD) presented the Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA, Mr. Asset Assavbayev, with a certificate of honour for his significant contribution to the development of international transport cooperation and the promotion of railway transportation in the region.
Also, within the framework of the event, a TRACECA awards ceremony was held for the representatives of the Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) and the Georgian Railway for their contribution to the development of the corridor Europe-the Caucasus-Asia.

TRACECA participated in the 2026 International Transport Forum Summit on “Funding Resilient Transport”

Sun, 10 May 2026 17:31:00 +0800

The Summit annually serves as a key international platform bringing together ministers, high-level representatives of the relevant ministries and transport authorities of the countries of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as international transport organisations, including the Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA (PS IGC TRACECA). The theme of this year's Summit, which included open ministerial sessions, was "Funding Resilient Transport". This agenda reflects the pressing need to strengthen the resilience and reliability of transport systems, particularly in the context of global challenges associated with significant economic changes and technological transformation. In this regard, special attention was given to the development of effective investment mechanisms and the elaboration of coordinated approaches to strengthening the stability and security of transport connectivity. The open ministerial session on the theme “Pillars of Progress: Governance, Innovation, and Cooperation” served as an important platform for discussing issues of transport system resilience, international cooperation and introduction of innovative approaches in the transport sector, at which the Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA, Mr. Asset Assavbayev, delivered a speech. In his speech, Mr. A. Assavbayev drew attention to the practical TRACECA initiatives aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and developing resilient transport solutions, including the establishment of the TRACECA Fund and the formation of the TRACECA Business Council as a platform for interaction between public and private stakeholders of the transport sector. “Resilient transport is not only a matter of capital. It is a matter of how we govern, how we innovate and how effectively we cooperate,” emphasized the TRACECA Secretary General, noting the importance of coordinating efforts, introducing innovative mechanisms and developing partnerships for the further strengthening of the resilience of transport and the efficiency of international transportation. Furthermore, side events were held within the framework of the Summit. In particular, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) organized a session dedicated to the launch of a new financial initiative “Border Upgrades for Integration, Logistics and Development (BUILD)”. This mechanism is aimed at strengthening cross-border transport infrastructure within the CAREC programme. The event brought together representatives of international organizations, financial institutions and participating countries to discuss prospects for financing and developing regional transport connectivity.

For reference: - The International Transport Forum (ITF) is an intergovernmental organization within the OECD framework bringing together more than 60 countries. The Forum serves as a global platform for developing transport policy, promoting sustainable economic growth, environmental resilience and social integration. - On 10 September 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the PS IGC TRACECA and the CAREC Institute: MoU between the PS IGC TRACECA and the CAREC Institute.

TRACECA Secretary General outlined cooperation priorities with OSJD at the jubilee CGD meeting

Wed, 06 May 2026 02:09:00 +0800

The high-level event was dedicated to key issues of the functioning and development of regional railway transport, covering multimodal, intermodal and combined transport, and brought together heads and representatives of railways from 30 countries as well as partner organizations, including the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA. On 23 April 2026, at the opening of the plenary session, the Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Olzhas Bektenov, delivered a welcoming statement, highlighting the significant role of railway transport in ensuring sustainable regional economic growth as well as the importance of the Conference as a platform for constructive dialogue and strengthening of regional partnership. In his statement, the Chairman of the OSJD Committee, Mr. Miroslaw Antonowicz, noted the significant contribution of the organization over its 70 years of existence to the development of international railway transportation in the Eurasian space, including the improvement of the regulatory framework, the development of transport corridors and the implementation of modern digital solutions. Mr. Asset Assavbayev also addressed the meeting, first thanking Mr. Antonowicz for the fruitful cooperation between TRACECA and OSJD. The Secretary General drew attention to the joint work on the application of the e-CIM/SMGS consignment note on TRACECA railway routes. “Since June 2024, five rounds of virtual testing have been conducted, the latest of which took place on 6–10 April 2026. Each round yielded new results; each feedback cycle allowed for the improvement of the CIM/SMGS consignment note prototype and the enhancement of message exchange quality,” Mr. Asset Assavbayev informed. The Secretary General also emphasized that work is currently underway to determine further steps for the project, including its possible integration with digitalization initiatives, covering data exchange between railway administrations, ports and customs authorities. The final decisions of the XL jubilee CGD Meeting are aimed at improving the efficiency of railway transport, strengthening mutual trust between railway administrations and expanding cooperation between partners. TRACECA continues to support these initiatives and stands ready to facilitate their practical implementation for the benefit of the sustainable development of the region.
For reference: • The jubilee CGD Meeting was also dedicated to the 70th Anniversary of the founding of OSJD. • On 20 June 2024, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between TRACECA and OSJD, laying a solid foundation for cooperation • On 22 May 2023, the railway administrations of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye and Ukraine signed a Memorandum on the organization of the pilot project on the introduction of the electronic CIM/SMGS railway consignment note along TRACECA routes. In early 2025, Moldova joined the pilot project. • During the meeting, Secretary General Assavbayev solemnly presented OSJD Chairman Miroslaw Antonowicz with a medal for his contribution to the development of the transport corridor and the strengthening of international transport cooperation between Europe, the Caucasus and Asia.

On February 17-20, 2026, in Geneva, the 88th Session of the Internal Transport Committee of the UN Economic Commission of Europe (ITC UNECE) was held

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:23:00 +0800

The high-level segment was dedicated to the theme “Driving Innovation for the Future of Inland Transport”. The discussions focused on the issues of automation, digital transformation, decarbonisation of the transport sector and development of multimodal corridors. During the session, the issues of implementing the ITC Strategy up to 2030, introducing digital transport tools, including e-CMR and e-TIR, as well as promoting international standards in transport were considered. The discussions of the speakers confirmed the growing role of digital solutions and interstate coordination in ensuring resilient transport systems. Participation in the work of the 88th session made it possible to emphasize the alignment of TRACECA priority areas with the current international agenda in digitalization and harmonization of transport procedures. The PS IGC TRACECA continues the systematic work on implementation of international UN/CEFACT standards, development of electronic transport documents, including CIM/SMGS, e-TIR and e-CMR, as well as ensuring the practical interaction between the member countries in order to increase the effectiveness and transparency of transport. Following the session, solutions and recommendations aimed at further development of innovative, resilient and interconnected transport systems were adopted.

For reference:

The UNECE Internal Transport Committee is an intergovernmental platform of the United Nations in the field of inland transport;
The development of cooperation with the UNECE on digitalization of transport procedures, promotion of international standards and strengthening of multimodal connectivity is of particular significance for TRACECA. Interaction within the framework of specialised events and expert platforms facilitates the practical implementation of modern transport tools in the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia region;
TRACECA unites countries of Europe, the Caucasus and Asia in order to develop international transport corridors and digitalise transport processes.

Webinar on Interoperability of Port Community Systems

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 03:03:00 +0800

UNECE: Technical Cooperation Seminar for Western Balkans

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:59:00 +0800

28th Kazakhstan International Transport & Logistics Exhibition and “New Silk Way” Transport Forum

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:54:00 +0800