OSCE supports initiatives to promote trade and transport connectivity in Central Asia
On 26 and 27 May 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, in co-operation with the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan, supported a series of high-level events dedicated to enhancing transport connectivity and trade facilitation across Central Asia. The three events included the Expert Group Meeting on Regional Co-operation for Transport Connectivity Simplification in Central Asia, the Second High-Level Working Group on the TUTIT (Tajikistan–Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye) Multimodal Corridor Digital Connectivity, and the Working Group on e-TIR Implementation in Central Asia.
Together, the events convened over 120 participants (34 women and 86 men), including government officials, customs representatives, technical experts, and development partners. The discussions focused on advancing regional efforts to simplify cross-border transport procedures, enhance multimodal corridors, and accelerate the digital transformation of freight operations.
Participants underscored the importance of reducing trade costs, improving supply chain resilience, and facilitating the seamless movement of goods along the TUTIT and China corridors. A particular emphasis was placed on the growing role of digitalization, including the integration of electronic systems such as e-CMR and e-TIR. These tools promote transparency, accuracy, and efficiency in customs and transit procedures, while enabling greater interconnectivity with the Middle Corridor and the European Union.
The working group on e-TIR, held on 27 May, brought together customs authorities from across the region to assess national progress in implementing the system. Participants highlighted the importance of stakeholder co-ordination to enable pilot cargo test runs using national e-TIR applications, allowing for the evaluation and refinement of these digital platforms.
The events also reflected Tajikistan’s proactive role in fostering regional co-operation, particularly in its current capacity as Chair of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The major outcomes of three events were the adoption of the Roadmap for Accelerating the Digitalization of Freight Transportation on the International Transport Corridor China–TUTIT–Europe for the Period 2025–2030 the Action Plan for the implementation of the Agreement on Strengthening Land Transport Connectivity in Central Asia dated 2023 which sets out strategic priorities for advancing digital connectivity and trade integration across the region.