UNECE supports Turkmenistan in implementing eTIR operations
Ashgabat - Turkmenistan, 10-11 September 2025
In the framework of the ongoing efforts of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to support the digitalization of cross-border transport and transit procedures, a national workshop on the eTIR system was held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on 10 - 11 September 2025. The event was co-organized by UNECE and the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, with the support of the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the National Association of Road Transport Operators of Turkmenistan (THADA).
The workshop, organized at the premises of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, forms part of UNECE’s technical assistance activities aimed at promoting the implementation of Annex 11 to the TIR Convention and supporting the digitalization of the TIR procedure through the eTIR international system (eTIR IS) and related eTIR national application(eTIR NA).
The event was attended by senior representatives of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, Mr. Sami Ghanmi, Information systems officer, representative of the TIR Secretariat of UNECE, Mr. Vahtang Zarandia, representative of IRU; Mr. Bekmurad Eyeberdiyev representative of national association -THADA, and Mr. Elyor Khakimov, eTIR regional coordiantor of the TIR Secretariat of UNECE. From the Turkmen side, the workshop gathered staff members of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and IT experts responsible for introducing digital solutions in customs procedures.
During the first day, discussions focused on the legal and practical aspects of the TIR Convention, including the three possibilities of submitting the advance TIR data and the role of the private sector in the implementation of the eTIR procedure. Particular attention was given to the introduction of the eTIR NA, including a practical exercise on managing a TIR transport through this application and exploring its potential integration with national customs systems. The eTIR NA, developed by the TIR Secretariat, is designed to expedite a country’s interconnection with the eTIR IS and to facilitate the swift commencement of TIR operations.
The second day was dedicated to technical aspects of installing the eTIR national application and interconnecting to the eTIR international system, such as equipment, server infrastructure and software installation. Participants received practical demonstrations and recommendations from UNECE experts, particularly on the use of open-source solutions.
The workshop provided an opportunity for Turkmenistan to reaffirm its readiness to advance digital solutions for international transit, with the implementation of the eTIR operations identified as a high national priority, in close cooperation with UNECE and its partners. These efforts mark an important step towards the full deployment of the eTIR module at the national level, thereby fostering secure, efficient and paperless cross-border trade.
List of participants:
- Atamyrat Rahmanov - Head of the IT Department
- Azat Allanazarov - Head of the Data Management Department
- Murat Saryev - Head of the Customs Statistics Department
- Kerim Berdiev - Deputy Head of the Customs Control Department
- David Roznazarov - Deputy Head of the IT Department
- Guvanch Nazarly - Inspector of the IT Department
- Gunesh Salyhov - Inspector of the IT Department
- Vakhtang Zarandia - IRU
- Bekmurad Eyeberdiyev - THADA
- Sami Ghanmi – Information system officer UNECE
- Elyor Khakimov - eTIR Regional Coordinator for Central Asia and the Caucasus UNECE
