SCO Member States and Related Transport Representatives Discuss Smart Cross-Border Transport to Promote Regional Transport Connectivity

On June 3, the International Smart Logistics Development Symposium of the 2026 World Transport Convention (WTC) was held in Tianjin. The symposium brought together representatives from international organizations, government agencies, research institutes, and leading enterprises, presenting the latest research and practical achievements in smart logistics from the perspective of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Supported by the Asian Cooperation Fund project "Pilot and Promotion of Smart Cross-Border Transport Among Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States," the symposium attracted approximately 160 participants, including representatives from SCO member states such as Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, as well as related transport officials.

At the symposium, Mr. Nurullo Ruzi, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Tajikistan, noted that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a pragmatic cooperation platform guided by the "Shanghai Spirit." He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts in infrastructure development, digital innovation, and regulatory harmonization to jointly build intelligent and sustainable logistics corridors. Mr. Ruzi proposed promoting the development of Central Asia-to-Eurasia road, rail, and multimodal transport corridors, while scaling up digital applications to enhance transport efficiency and transparency.

Mr. Gonzalo Alcaraz, Director General of the International Road Federation, shared European experience in the development of smart transport technologies, highlighting that autonomous driving requires the establishment of an intelligent infrastructure ecosystem. He stated that China's advanced expertise in artificial intelligence, 5G, and smart city development has created broad prospects for China-Europe cooperation in relevant fields.

Mr. Andres Pizarro, Manager for Public Sector Clients in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, introduced a range of AIIB-supported investment projects in railways, aviation, ports, logistics, and cross-border connectivity. These projects aim to provide practical references for future multilateral cooperation and logistics investment planning, facilitate dialogue and exchanges on enhanced connectivity, and present replicable models of cooperation.

Ms. Hu Rui, Commissioner of the China-Turkmenistan Cultural Center, presented the achievements in China-Turkmenistan cross-border logistics cooperation under the strategic guidance of the two countries' heads of state. She indicated that the next step will involve precisely addressing Turkmenistan's practical needs for digital upgrading in transport, with a view to promoting in-depth exchanges and cooperation between logistics enterprises, technical teams, and professional talent from both countries.

Ms. Jiao Wenwen, Senior Engineer at the Research Institute of Highway, Ministry of Transport of China, introduced the ongoing project "Pilot and Promotion of Smart Cross-Border Transport Among Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States." The project aims to leverage the application of advanced smart cross-border transport technologies to jointly establish smart cross-border corridors with Central Asian and SCO countries, enhancing connectivity through technical means and adding a technological dimension to high-level connectivity among SCO member states.

Additionally, the symposium invited experts and leaders from industry, academia, and research institutions, who shared perspectives ranging from national standards interpretation, digital and intelligent management of e-commerce logistics, large model applications, new energy heavy-duty truck deployment at ports, to urban distribution. Through concrete case studies on the implementation of smart logistics infrastructure connectivity, they showcased China's advanced achievements in the field of smart cross-border transport.