Digitalization of the global supply chains management through introduction of the blockchain technologies is the main topic of discussions of the international community

This event, organized by the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the UN, was the result of active efforts and cooperation with the PS IGC TRACECA, International Center for Transport Diplomacy (ICTD), Intergovernmental Council of Road Administrators (ICRA) and TRACECA countries that have expressed their interest in the GTrD project.

On behalf of the organizers of the event, the Permanent Representative, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the UN, H.E. Ms. Atayeva A.T., Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA, Mr. Assavbayev A.A., ICRA Chairman, Mr. Karimov B.B., ICTD Executive Secretary, Mr. Rounov I. made an opening remarks to the participants of the meeting.

The discussions of the meeting participants focused on the process of transport industry digitalization, as well as the need for active cooperation between governments and business at the international and regional levels as a key factor to counter post Covid-19 disruptions in the global supply chains.

Speakers from interested TRACECA countries, including representatives of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, as well as representatives of UNECE, UN OHRLLS, MAERSK in Georgia, and others, shared information about the latest achievements in the field of digitalization of multimodal transport corridors in Eurasia, leading global projects for the digitalization of international multimodal transport.

In his turn, the TRACECA Secretary General noted the importance of ensuring contactless sustainable transport communication, which has also been repeatedly voiced at various international platforms, including the UN. In this regard, digitalization of transport plays a key role. At the same time, the emphasis is placed on the fact that the further development of digital solutions separately for each type of transport will not allow achieving the desired result and, of paramount importance, it is necessary to develop a unified approach.

"The shifting to digital solutions for all modes of transport at the international level should be harmonized. This will reduce gaps in the introduction of information technology in the transportation process. In addition, the transfer of checkpoints to digital format is important, which should complement the digitalization of the transportation process. Thus, it is necessary to ensure coordinated actions for the transition and organization of processes throughout the transportation of goods. Thus, the deepening of partnership relations between the governments of the countries of the region and business in strengthening links between all modes of transport plays a significant role," A.A. Assavbayev pointed out.

As part of the Agenda of the event, special attention of the representatives of interested TRACECA countries, international organizations, leaders and leading experts in the field of transport and logistics, government agencies and other involved parties was paid to discussions on the implementation of the GTrD project based on blockchain technology.
This project is a universal solution for existing cross-border problems along multimodal transport corridors.

Within the framework of the demonstrated presentations, the ICTD Executive Secretary, Dr. Igor Rounov, Member of the ICTD Board, Ms. Juliette Passer and ICTD Leading Expert, Dr. Alexander Zaboev presented to the participants the main elements with an expanded description of the structure, mechanisms, stages of further development of the GTrD, and also shared information about the organization of upcoming pilot multimodal transportation using GTrD in 2022-2023.

During the event, a video prepared by the ICTD about the background of the initiative, detailed information about the GTrD project and its further implementation was shown to participants.

It should be noted that the Economic and Social Council occupies a key place in the activities of the United Nations system to promote all three aspects of sustainable development — economic, social and environmental, and the HLPF is a useful forum for conducting a productive dialogue.