Azerbaijan and UNECE launch pilot project for e-CMR in Middle Corridor

The Azerbaijani government, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), is developing a supporting system for electronic consignment notes (e-CMR) and implementing pilot projects involving all trade stakeholders along the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route - TITR).

Jean Rodriguez, Head of Communications and Press Secretary of UNECE, informed Report that in February 2025, UNECE initiated a partnership with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Digital Development and Transport. The project is based on a roadmap for the streamlined and sustainable implementation of the UNECE Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR Convention) and its Protocol, along with UN/CEFACT standards for e-CMR adoption.

"Our efforts aim to transform TITR into a more efficient, cost-effective, and secure route for international trade. Since the adoption of the SPECA Roadmap for Middle Corridor digitalization in November 2023, the focus has been on capacity-building and training for public and private sector specialists," said Rodriguez.

He highlighted the key role played by the international workshop "Trade Facilitation and Digital Transformation of Multimodal Data and Document Exchange on the Trans-Caspian Corridor," which promoted digital solutions in the ports of Baku, Aktau, and Turkmenbashi. The active involvement of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan in these initiatives demonstrates their commitment to the digitalization process.

Rodriguez emphasized that for over 75 years, UNECE has been working on harmonizing technical standards and legal frameworks in trade, transport, and other sectors.

"Unified standards ensure system interoperability, reduce administrative barriers, and simplify cross-border operations, ultimately fostering trade and economic integration," he stated.

UNECE is also exploring advanced technologies, including blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance regional connectivity.

"Blockchain can improve transparency and security by providing an immutable record of transactions. This is particularly important for tracking the origin of goods, ensuring ESG compliance, and reducing fraud risks. We are also considering blockchain applications for trade facilitation," Rodriguez added.