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Building Safer Regions - Central Asia and Caucasus Security Project Concludes in Tokyo

• WCO wraps up year long project in Central Asia and Caucasus focused on preventing illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
• Eight countries strengthened their capacities to combat arms trafficking and emerging threats, enhancing border detection capabilities
• Regional cooperation to counter illicit trade and address shared border security challenges was strengthened and reinforced

The World Customs Organization (WCO), with the support of the Government of Japan, concluded the Central Asia and Caucasus Security Project at a regional workshop held in Tokyo last month. The event brought together the representatives of Customs administrations from eight beneficiary countries, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as Japan, and partner organizations, to review the Project results, share lessons learned, and discuss the way forward.

Strengthening Capacity to Counter Illicit Trafficking

Launched in March 2025, the one-year Project helped strengthen the capacity of Customs administrations in Central Asia and the Caucasus to counter the illicit movement of small arms and light weapons while also improving awareness of risks linked to unmanned aerial systems and export controls. As the proliferation of SALW remains a leading cause of violent deaths worldwide, fuelling insecurity and regional instability, combating illicit trade in this area is critical to preventing conflict and sustaining peace. In this context, the Project has played a key role in supporting WCO Members across both regions in strengthening their cross-border control capabilities, while also enhancing their awareness of emerging technologies and evolving trafficking methods.

The first regional awareness workshop was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, in July 2025, to assess national capacities and identify priority training needs. It was followed by a series of twinned training events that brought together frontline officers from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan; Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; Armenia and Georgia; and Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. These sessions strengthened operational skills in detection and enforcement, benefiting over 100 frontline Customs officers across both regions.

Enhancing Cooperation and Regional Security

Through two regional workshops and four twinned national training events, the Project has helped address border security challenges, foster regional cooperation, and promote greater stability and security. Ultimately, it has contributed to protecting society from the threats posed by illicit trafficking.

“No single agency, Administration, or country can address these challenges alone. Effective border management and security demand close collaboration nationally, regionally, and internationally,” said Sigfríður Gunnlaugsdottir, Deputy Director for Capacity Delivery Sub-Directorate, in her opening remarks at the closing workshop.

During the closing workshop, participants reviewed the activities delivered throughout the Project. They highlighted the value of practical training, including weapon identification, safe handling procedures, case-based exercises and discussions on emerging trafficking methods. National presentations from beneficiary Administrations demonstrated how the Project responded to operational needs and strengthened knowledge, confidence and professional networks among Customs officers working on border security.

Partnerships and Future Outlook

The closing workshop also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences with Japan Customs and partner organizations, including the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). Participants were not only introduced to practical WCO tools related to risk management and cargo targeting but also received a comprehensive overview of the threats posed by unmanned aerial systems, as well as the legal frameworks governing their regulation and control. Participants emphasized that continued cooperation, information-sharing, and sustained training will be essential to build on the Project’s achievements and further strengthen Customs enforcement and border security across the region.

(Source: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2026/april/building-safer-regions.aspx)