Tashkent Hosts Seminar on Integrated Risk Management

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — As part of the European Union–funded project “Ready4Trade Central Asia: Path to Prosperity through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor,” the International Trade Centre (ITC) held a two-day seminar focused on implementing an integrated risk management approach for representatives of Uzbekistan’s border regulatory authorities.

The event formed part of a regional initiative to develop coordinated border control and brought together officials from customs services, sanitary-phytosanitary and veterinary authorities, technical regulation agencies, and other relevant departments.

Uzbekistan shares borders with all Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Its territory features more than 60 road and rail border checkpoints that handle thousands of goods and passengers daily. Effective management of these flows requires precision, coordination, and the use of modern technologies.

Strengthening technical capacity in integrated risk management and coordinated border control enhances both efficiency and security. Implementing mechanisms to identify high-risk consignments allows compliant companies to pass inspections faster, reducing time and business costs while simultaneously increasing safety.

During the seminar, participants studied international best practices, modern digital tools, and data analysis methods used in border control systems worldwide. Special attention was given to the application of artificial intelligence for risk assessment, the creation of profiles based on historical data, and the development of interagency information exchange through digital solutions.

Practical exercises enabled specialists to analyze existing risk management mechanisms in Uzbekistan, identify areas for improvement, and outline steps toward developing a national framework for integrated risk management. Key priorities were identified, including expanding interagency data exchange, implementing digital risk analysis tools, and conducting regular staff capacity-building programs.

As highlighted in the ITC guide “Managing Risk for Safe, Efficient Trade” (Geneva, 2022), risk management is a key component of trade facilitation, allowing goods to move faster while ensuring compliance with safety requirements. These principles formed the basis for discussions and practical exercises during the seminar led by ITC risk management expert Valentin Nikonov. Implementing an integrated approach will help Uzbekistan strengthen supply chain security, increase procedural transparency, reduce cargo clearance times, and build trust with international trade partners.

The “Ready4Trade Central Asia: Path to Prosperity through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor” project runs from 2024 to 2028 and is financed by the European Union through the International Trade Centre. This four-year program aims to improve the operational efficiency of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, simplify cross-border procedures, enhance regional coordination, and support the internationalization of Central Asian businesses. Particular emphasis is placed on improving the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises to access EU and regional markets.

The International Trade Centre is a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations that helps small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies become more competitive in global markets.

ITC’s work contributes to sustainable economic development under the Trade Facilitation Initiative and supports the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The European Union, comprising 27 countries, operates on the principles of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights. The EU actively promotes sustainable social, environmental, and economic development globally for the benefit of all.