Partners review methodology framework for Trans-Caspian Digital Corridor (PHOTO)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 8. The
22^nd International Seminar “Advancing the Multimodal
Digital Trans-Caspian Corridor: Methodology and Next Steps” was
held in a hybrid format at the headquarters of the PS IGC TRACECA
in Baku.

This was announced by the Ministry of Digital Development and
Transport of Azerbaijan.

The event was organised by the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe (UNECE) jointly with the PS IGC TRACECA and
development partners. The seminar brought together heads and
leading experts of relevant government agencies from the TRACECA
and SPECA regions, representatives of the European Commission, the
World Bank, GIZ, ITC, as well as members of the business
community.

Welcoming remarks were delivered to the participants by the
Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA, Jasurbek Choriev, the
Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Azerbaijan,
Marijana Kujundžić, and the Adviser to the Minister of Digital
Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham
Namazov.

The main item on the Agenda was consideration of the draft
Methodology for the Trans-Caspian Digital Corridor, developed on
the basis of UN/CEFACT standards, and discussion of best practices
in data exchange. Particular attention was paid by the experts to
the status of implementation of pilot projects on the
digitalisation of rail, maritime, road and air transport.

In his remarks, the Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA
emphasised that digitalisation has ceased to be a separate
technological area and has become a mandatory condition for the
competitiveness of international routes. He noted the transition
from individual experiments (the eCIM/SMGS pilots and data exchange
between Caspian ports) to scaling up – the practical deployment of
a fully-fledged multimodal digital corridor. “The key challenges
remain the mutual recognition of electronic documents, the
synchronisation of administrative procedures, and ensuring the
interoperability of digital platforms on the basis of UN/CEFACT
standards,” he noted.

Speaking at the event, the EU Ambassador, Marijana Kujundžić,
highlighted the strategic role of the South Caucasus and Central
Asia in ensuring global connectivity (the Connectivity Agenda) and
the diversification of sustainable supply chains. She noted the key
importance of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, European experience
in deploying the TEN-T network, as well as the EU–Azerbaijan
Connectivity Partnership initiative. Particular emphasis was made
on the new Connectivity for Peace investment package, worth up to
EUR 200 million, with the potential to attract up to EUR 2 billion
in investment in the region’s transport, energy and digital
sectors.

Following the work carried out within the framework of three
thematic sessions and an expert round table, the participants
discussed matters related to the digitisation of accompanying
documents, regulatory convergence and ensuring cybersecurity in
data exchange.