The 5th meeting of the working group of the Master Trainer Program on Risk Management, implemented with the support of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is taking place in Astana from April 20 to 24, 2026.

     The event is attended by representatives of the customs services of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as accredited WCO experts.

    The meeting is taking place in a practice-oriented format and serves as a working platform for discussing real-world cases, exchanging experiences, and developing solutions applicable to the daily operations of customs authorities.

     Opening the event, Kairat Dzhumagulov, Deputy Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, emphasized that risk management is becoming a key tool for modern customs. According to him, this involves not only improving the effectiveness of controls but also establishing a balanced system in which law-abiding businesses enjoy favorable conditions, while control measures are focused on high-risk areas.

     The central theme of the meeting is the development of national training capacity. Participants are working to establish a sustainable system for training master trainers—specialists capable of adapting international standards to national practices and ensuring their effective implementation.

     Particular attention is paid to the practical component: employees of state revenue agencies attend training sessions based on materials developed by program participants. This approach allows not only for the consolidation of acquired knowledge but also for testing its applicability in real-world conditions.

     For Kazakhstan, this is an opportunity not only to study best international practices but also to adapt them in line with national priorities. The focus is on transitioning to more targeted and intelligent controls, reducing redundant procedures, and expediting customs clearance.

     Another key priority remains the development of coordinated approaches with countries in the region, which helps increase the transparency and predictability of goods movement, reduce administrative barriers, and strengthen Kazakhstan’s transit capacity.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd/press/news/details/1204700?lang=kk