On 16 October 2026, the World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary General travelled to Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic, for the High-Level Forum on the Digital Transformation of Customs and the 12th Meeting of the Heads of Customs Administrations of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The SG’s official visit included an audience with the chairman of the cabinet of ministers. The SG commended the Kyrgyz Republic and its State Customs Service (SCS) for their modernisation and digital transformation efforts.
Digital transformation
In opening the high-level forum, the SG underscored the importance of innovative solutions for managing the ever-evolving Customs environment. In his address, the SG highlighted the tools and implementation support the WCO provided to its members, such as the WCO Data Model, which enables members to increase functionality and adaptability and speak the same language across Customs administrations, moving trade more efficiently. Focusing on data use, the SG also emphasised the importance of integrating technology responsibly into Customs’ daily operations. The SG noted that strong, effective governance could transform processes and procedures while safeguarding citizens and facilitating trade.
International cooperation
During his opening speech at the 12th Meeting of the Heads of Customs Administrations of the OTS, Secretary General Saunders reinforced the importance of cooperation between the two organisations and encouraged the ongoing exchange of data and recognition of each other’s Authorised Economic Operators among Customs administrations. The SG offered the WCO’s support for its Road Map on Customs Cooperation for 2027 to 2031, applauded its continued focus on modernising Customs procedures across its membership and praised the launch of the Simplified Customs Corridor pilot.
Supporting Customs
During his engagements, the SG spoke about the Kyrgyz Republic’s transformation of its Customs Service through the implementation of “Smart Bazhy” (Smart Customs). The SG applauded the use of WCO standards in building “Smart Bazhy” through the application of the SAFE Framework. The SG discussed the value of continued investments in Customs infrastructure.
The SG also familiarised himself with the State Customs Service (SCS) work, received demonstrations on radiation control inspection and X-ray equipment operation, and toured the high-altitude Torugart Border Crossing Point. During these engagements, the SG spoke with SCS Chairman Ulan Kimsanov and commended SCS’s standards-based approach to modernisation, its commitment to capacity building through the two regional training centres and its modernisation of border infrastructure.
The Kyrgyz Republic at the WCO
The Kyrgyz Republic joined the WCO as a member in February 2000 and is a party to the Revised Kyoto Convention and the Harmonised System (HS) Convention. Bishkek hosts the WCO Regional Training Centre (opened in 2019) and the Regional Dog Training Centre (opened in 2021). The Kyrgyz State Customs Service participates in a range of WCO programmes, including the recent WCO/JICA Risk Management Master Trainer Programme and the TRS Programme for Central Asia and the Caucasus.