6th Technical Working Group Meeting on CAREC Advanced Transit System and Information Common Exchange (CATS/ICE): Pilot Phase Implementation

The 6th Technical Working Group Meeting on the CAREC Advanced Transit System and Information Common Exchange (CATS/ICE) Pilot Phase Implementation will be held on 8-9 September 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It will gather members of the three working groups: (i) Information and Communication Technology (ICT), (ii) Customs Control Facilitation, and (iii) Legal and Regulatory from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan. It will discuss (i) the comprehensive review of CATS/ICE pilot activities to date, (ii) discuss the workplan and roadmap, (iii) and define the next steps of the pilot.

Key Documents

Agenda (ENG | RUS)

List of Participants (ENG | RUS)

Presentations

  • Session 1: Introduction of the Agenda and Updates on the Status of Implementation of the CATS/ICE Development Pilot Phase (ENG | RUS)
  • Session 2: Presentation of the Comprehensive Review of CATS/ICE Pilot Activities (ENG | RUS)
  • Session 3: Review of Key System Updates Since March 2025 (ENG | RUS)
  • Session 4: Updates on the Multi-country Agreement Ratification Process (ENG | RUS)
  • Session 5: Presentation of the Proposed CATS-ICE Workplan (ENG | RUS)
  • Session 6: Breakout Sessions: Working Group Discussions
  • Session 7: Working Group Presentations
  • Session 8: Presentation of the CATS-ICE Roadmap and Long-Term Sustainability (ENG | RUS)
  • Session 9: Country Feedback and Open Discussion

Side Event

A defining feature of CATS/ICE is its risk-based, cost-efficient guarantee mechanism, which incentivizes compliant traders by allowing varied guarantee levels tailored to operator risk profiles and supporting multiple transit movements over a set period of time. This approach aligns with global best practices promoted under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and WCO Transit Guidelines. In this context, the effective operation of insurers and guarantors, and their coordination with customs authorities, will be essential to maximize the benefits of the system. Following the technical working group, an Insurer and Guarantor Liaison Group Meeting will be held on 9 September 2025. It will gather representatives of insurance and guarantee companies, as well as other financial institutions providing similar services, from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan.

Key Documents

Agenda (ENG | RUS)

Presentations

  • Session 1: Overview of CATS/ICE: Development History and Key Features (ENG | RUS)
  • Session 2: System Interface: Access to CATS/ICE by Insurers and Guarantors (Demo)
  • Session 3: Next Testing Phase: Engagement of Insurers and Guarantors (ENG | RUS)

This event is supported under TA0069: Implementing the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Integrated Trade Agenda 2030 (Phase 2).