The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) recently organized a regional workshop on managing border crossing points along transit corridors in Central Asia. Held in a hybrid format in Ashgabat, the event brought together officials from the five Central Asian nations, representing border security, customs, migration, law enforcement, and sanitary agencies.
The workshop opened with remarks from John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, alongside representatives from the State Frontier Service of Turkmenistan and the German Embassy in Turkmenistan. MacGregor emphasized the OSCE’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation, particularly in integrated border management and data sharing.
“While connectivity and trade are crucial for economic growth, balancing security concerns with efficient border management strategies remains a priority,” MacGregor stated.
The event provided a platform for sharing best practices on improving border efficiency, enhancing security, and facilitating trade and transport operations. Experts presented strategies for Integrated Border Management (IBM) and discussed international counterterrorism initiatives.
Specialists from the United Kingdom, the OSCE Secretariat’s Border Security and Management Unit, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and the EU’s BOMCA-10 Programme participated. The UNOCT’s Countering Terrorist Travel (‘CT Travel’) Programme highlighted legal frameworks and technical assistance for Central Asian states in implementing Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Records (PNR) systems to track potential security threats.
The workshop was part of the OSCE Centre’s extrabudgetary project, “Strengthening State Border Service Capacities of Turkmenistan,” and was financially supported by the German government.
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