Dear colleagues and friends,

ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to welcome all of you to this forum. This is not the first time we have hosted this representative event, and it consistently draws the attention of law enforcement agencies, security departments, experts, and media representatives from around the globe.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to the initiators and organizers of this important event, which are the Ministry of Public Security of the PRC, the China Association for Friendship, and the Taihe Institute. Thanks to them for creating such a unique and meaningful platform for exchange and international cooperation in the fields of global and regional security. 

Because of everyone’s hard work, representatives from security agencies worldwide can come together to discuss urgent issues and explore solutions as well as new avenues to build mutually beneficial relationships.

During his speech at the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Plus Summit, President Tokayev of Kazakhstan emphasized that in this critical historical moment, we bear a significant responsibility to uphold peace, stability, and security, which requires collaborative efforts at both regional and international levels.

Modern armed conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and tensions in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, have exacerbated geopolitical tensions and triggered humanitarian crises, negatively impacting the transport and logistics sectors as well as regional and global economies.

In this context, I kindly invite you to focus on the cooperation and development of security enterprises in various countries in ensuring the safe transit of cargo in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or TITR.

The TITR starts from China and passes through Kazakhstan, the Caspian ports of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and then Türkiye before reaching the European Union. It is a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative. Compared to traditional shipping routes, it significantly reduces delivery times for cargo.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the TITR has emerged as a vital alternative for transporting transit cargo from China to Europe.

However, this route traverses several unique countries with challenging security conditions. Given this circumstance, international cooperation among security enterprises becomes essential to ensure the safety of transit cargo. The increasing freight volumes elevate the risks associated with terrorism, theft, and damage, which could lead to significant economic losses and disruptions in logistics chains. Considering the scale and significance of transit transport, the effective management of these risks is crucial for ensuring the seamless functioning of both global and regional trade systems.

Under the framework of the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, it is necessary for the countries along the CHINA RAILWAY (CR) Express routes to establish a community for the security assurance of CR Express transit cargo. 

The proposal submitted by the International Alliance of Security & Risk Management Companies (Macau) has currently received support from Kazakhstan.

Railway companies, internal affairs agencies, security organizations, and the business community from countries along CR Express routes can all join the community. This will encourage collaborative efforts among various countries to develop comprehensive measures for ensuring the security of transit cargo. The coordination and cooperation among security enterprises will foster the development of unified security standards, facilitate data sharing, and enable the execution of coordinated actions such as inspections and vehicle monitoring, guaranteeing swift responses to threats and mitigated risks.

In addition, this community will serve as a platform for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, providing technical equipment and training support for experts working along the routes. The integrated resources from different countries will be utilized for the modernization of infrastructure and security systems, further enhancing the overall stability of the routes.

To implement this initiative, several key issues need to be addressed:

First, legal discrepancies. Each country has its independent laws and regulations governing security activities. The success of cooperation necessitates harmonizing legislation and establishing an international legal framework.

Second, variability in technological equipment. The levels of technical equipment of security enterprises vary from country to country. In light of this, it is crucial to invest in modern technology and promote communication regarding advanced equipment.

Third, language barriers and cultural differences. Effective cooperation entails overcoming language and cultural obstacles, which can be achieved through training and cultivating multilingual teams. 

China’s saying goes, “Challenges are disguised opportunities.” This reminds us that every challenge holds the potential for growth and improvement. The creation of the CR Express transit cargo security community represents one such opportunity.

This community can efficiently address security issues along transport routes. The current challenges will drive the development of effective solutions while strengthening international cooperation. The integration of this community with organizations like the SCO will further enhance collective efforts and improve responses to threats such as terrorism, theft, and damage to cargo.

In conclusion, I want to underscore that the collaborative efforts of all countries will markedly elevate security standards, safeguard transit cargo, and reinforce economic connectivity between the East and West.

I am confident that today’s meeting will yield significant benefits for all participants, while also fostering amicable relations among countries and advancing cooperation across diverse sectors. 

Thank you for your attention.

Kozy-Korpesh Karbuzov, General Director Chairman of the Management Board of KMG-Security LLP, Former Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan