TRACECA-ASEAN multimodal digital initiative discussed in Baku

A possible multimodal digital initiative between the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been discussed in Baku.

According to Report, citing the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the discussions took place at the headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of the TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission in a hybrid format during the 22nd international workshop titled "Advancing the Multimodal Digital Trans-Caspian Corridor: Methodology and Next Steps," dedicated to strengthening capacity in trade and transport facilitation and data exchange.

The event was organized by the Permanent Secretariat of the TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission jointly with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Azerbaijani government and development partners.

The high-level workshop brought together heads and senior representatives of relevant agencies from TRACECA and SPECA countries, railway administrations and ports, international organizations including the European Commission, World Bank, GIZ, ITC and UN/CEFACT, as well as representatives of the business community.

TRACECA Secretary General Jasurbek Choriyev, Adviser to Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transport Ilham Namazov and EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Marijana Kujundzic delivered welcoming remarks.

One of the key items on the agenda was the TRACECA Agreement on Multimodal Data and Document Exchange, aimed at providing participating countries along the route with a common legal framework for recognizing electronic transport documents.

Participants also discussed a draft methodology for establishing the Trans-Caspian multimodal digital corridor based on UN/CEFACT standards, including the concept of a "digital corridor."

Particular attention was paid to the status of pilot projects on the digitalization of data and cargo accompanying documents in rail, maritime, road and air transport. These included the results of the e-CIM/SMGS pilot project involving the railway administrations of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Türkiye and Ukraine, the digital transformation of the SMGS rail consignment note, data exchange between Caspian ports, the creation of a regional data set, as well as multimodal electronic platforms and eCMR projects.

The workshop consisted of three sessions featuring speeches and presentations, as well as interactive question-and-answer sessions and exchanges of views and experience.

The final session was held in a roundtable format among stakeholders and moderated by the TRACECA Secretary General. Participants discussed the foundations for multilateral projects with development partners, including a possible TRACECA-ASEAN multimodal digital initiative.

Following the workshop, the parties are expected to identify legal and technical barriers to the introduction of harmonized digital solutions in the region and propose measures to address them jointly, as well as determine the next steps and new areas of cooperation to improve transport processes and support regional development.