Twentieth Meeting of the SPECA Working Group on Trade Facilitation – an Important Step in Strengthening Economic Cooperation and Digitalization of Trade in the Region

  

On March 14, 2025, the twentieth meeting of the Working Group of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) on trade facilitation took place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The event was organized at the initiative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and was attended by official delegations from SPECA member countries, international organizations, and development partners. The meeting was chaired by Nuriddinzoda Akhliddin Nuriddin, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan.

 

At the beginning of the meeting, Nuriddinzoda A.N. emphasized that under the leadership of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, esteemed Emomali Rahmon, Tajikistan is striving to strengthen regional cooperation and elevate trade processes and the digital economy to a new level. Tajikistan, as a leading country in developing modern trade mechanisms and implementing digital technologies, not only contributes to its own economic development but also plays a key role in addressing regional challenges.

The meeting discussed key issues of cooperation among SPECA member states in the context of membership and active participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO), progress in implementing the SPECA Trade Facilitation Strategy, realization of sustainable trade principles, overcoming non-tariff barriers, and expanding digital trade.

Representatives of SPECA member states discussed the implementation process of the SPECA Trade Facilitation Strategy and its Roadmap, as well as identified prospects for regional economic cooperation. Cooperation among CIS countries in the process of membership and implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement became one of the most important sections of the meeting.

Additionally, an analysis of non-tariff barriers and ways to simplify trade procedures in a changing global environment was discussed. Given the existing challenges, Tajikistan proposed to develop and implement effective mechanisms within SPECA to eliminate non-tariff barriers and align the trade system with international standards.

In the sector of digital trade and transport, the implementation of the Roadmap for the digitalization of the Trans-Caspian Corridor and opportunities for expanding cooperation in this area were discussed. Representatives from UNECE and ESCAP presented their recommendations for improving electronic documentation and reducing administrative barriers in trade.

During the twentieth meeting of the Working Group of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) on trade facilitation, representatives of SPECA member states and development partners approved plans for future cooperation and expressed their readiness to continue joint activities.

The outcomes of this meeting laid a new foundation for developing trade cooperation and digital integration in the SPECA region, with Tajikistan ready to further enhance its leading role in promoting these initiatives.