Kazakhstan in the World Customs Organization

Having passed through evolution and the test of time, customs service nowadays meets modern challenges and works on the task of protection economic interests of the state and successful integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan into the world economic area.

Kazakhstan has been the member of the World Customs Organization since 1992. Customs legislation of the Republic was harmonized and unified according to the international standards. Due to creation of necessary conditions customs management efficiency was enhanced, quality of control and fiscal functions implementation was ensured with the aim of international trade facilitation and speed up of the goods turnover.

Practical cooperation with the WCO includes participation of Kazakhstan in the various programs on human resource development, modernization and improvements of the management and the working methods of the Customs administrations.

Kazakhstan acceded and concluded to a number of the specialized international conventions and international agreements in the customs area.

Today Kazakhstan is an active member of the WCO. Kazakhstan is committed to the cooperation with the WCO and interested to promote dialogue with and among its partners.

On March 6, 2007 in Astana the Agreement on Mutual Understanding between the Customs Control Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the WCO Secretariat and the World Bank was signed. Taking into consideration achievements and reforms in Kazakhstan's customs system, the WCO informed on its intention to put Kazakhstan in the list of the pilot countries, which are considered to be a model in their regions.

In June 2007 at the WCO Council Session Kazakhstan was elected to the Finance Committee for 2007-2008 as a full member and received the status of observer in the Policy Commission. Kazakhstan was a member of the Finance Committee in 2001-2002 and Policy Commission in 2005-2007.

In September, 2004 WCO Secretary General Mr. Michel Danet visited Kazakhstan. President Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Akhmetov received Mr. Danet. WCO Secretary General also had meetings with Deputy Foreign Minister Shakirov and Chairman of the Customs Control Agency Saparbayev.

On September 27-28, 2004 Kazakhstan hosted the Meeting of the Heads of Customs Administrations of WCO Members on Drug Trafficking Issues along the Silk Route.

The Meeting was attended by representatives from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

At the Conference, the participants adopted the Almaty Declaration, under which the Signatories undertake to exchange more information using the existing networks, and to promote co-operation and technical assistance at national, regional and international level.

In September, 2004 Kazakhstan and World Customs Organization signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the establishment of a WCO Regional Dog Training Centre in Almaty.
On January 20-21, 2005 the Second Conference of the WCO European Region Heads of Customs was held in Almaty. WCO Secretary General Mr.Danet, Directors Generals and experts from 37 countries, the European Commission, as well as the diplomats and representatives of international organizations, accredited in Kazakhstan took part in the Conference.
On January 17-19, 2007 a high level Sub-Regional Integrity Conference was held in Almaty. Representatives from 8 WCO member states, including Central Asian countries, made their presentations on the integration and cooperation perspectives.
In April 2007 the Workshop in the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards was held in Astana. This Workshop was organized by the WCO, the World Bank, OSCE and Kazakhstan Customs Administration. During this event the WCO and the WB experts gave their recommendations for the Action Plan development.

In June, 2007 Kazakhstan hosted seminar on “Integrity as a central element of customs administration” organized by USAID in cooperation with WCO. Customs officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan participated in the seminar. The Workshop focused on helping senior customs managers to develop a better understanding of the institutional and procedural components for the implementation effective integrity programme. 

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