BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — The 12th Meeting of the Heads of Customs Administrations of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held in Bishkek on October 12, 2026, bringing together senior customs officials and international representatives to strengthen regional cooperation on trade facilitation, transit and digital customs systems.
The meeting was chaired by Ulan Kimsanov, Chairman of the State Customs Service under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic. Participants included Shahin Baghirov, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee; Zhandos Duisembiyev, Chairman of Kazakhstan’s State Revenue Committee; Sezai Ucarmak, Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Trade and Head of Customs Administration; Akmalkhuja Mavlonov, Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee; and OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev.
Other participants included Dovlet Baryyev, Deputy Chairman of Turkmenistan’s State Customs Service; Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO); and Tatiana Rey-Bellet, Director of TIR and Transit Services at the International Road Transport Union (IRU).
In his address, Omuraliev highlighted the importance of closer customs cooperation in facilitating trade and transit along the Middle Corridor, a key transport route connecting Asia and Europe. He outlined progress on digital TIR projects, efforts to operationalise the electronic TIR (eTIR) system across the OTS region, and cooperation on electronic consignment notes under the e-CMR framework.
Looking ahead, the OTS Secretary General proposed developing a Customs Cooperation Action Plan, or Road Map, for 2027–2031 to establish clear priorities, coordinate activities and ensure continuity in regional initiatives.
During the meeting, the heads of customs administrations reviewed the implementation of previous decisions and discussed further steps under the Agreement on the Establishment of a Simplified Customs Corridor. Their discussions also covered digital transformation, electronic data exchange, risk management cooperation and customs laboratory services.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the heads of customs administrations signed a protocol outlining priorities and practical measures for strengthening cooperation.
The delegations also expressed appreciation to Omuraliev for his service and contribution to advancing cooperation within the OTS during his tenure.
In recognition of his contribution to regional customs cooperation, the heads of customs administrations from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan presented him with their respective honours: “For Consolidation of Customs Cooperation,” “Шериктештик үчүн” (“For Partnership”) and “Xalqaro hamkorlik uchun” (“For International Cooperation”).
The delegations agreed to hold the 13th Meeting of the Heads of Customs Administrations of the Organization of Turkic States in Türkiye in 2027.
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