8–12 June 2026, Bangkok, Thailand

At the invitation of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Program Managers Mr. Deokjoong Kim and Ms. Asuka Nagamatsu participated in the 12th Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum (APTFF) and Paperless Trade Week 2026, held from 8 to 12 June 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Paperless Trade Week featured the 5th Session of the Paperless Trade Council under the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA). During the session, the Council highlighted key advancements in regional trade facilitation, including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics in customs risk management, the modernization and expansion of Single Window, and the continuous alignment of national legal frameworks with international standards.

During the event, Mr. Deokjoong Kim held bilateral talks with UNESCAP officials to strengthen institutional ties. They discussed concrete ways to enhance their partnership, building on the success of the 8th UNNExT Masterclass on Electronic Single Windows and Data Analytics co-organized last November. That masterclass had been jointly organized with UNESCAP, ROCB A/P, and the Korea Customs Service, with financial support from the WCO Customs Cooperation Fund of Korea (CCF-Korea). Looking forward, both agencies agreed to expand future collaboration to further facilitate cross-border paperless trade for Customs administrations across the Asia-Pacific region.

In conjunction with the plenary session, a series of technical side events explored practical pathways for digital trade. These sessions focused on deploying emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain, advancing regional Single Window connectivity, and utilizing digital systems to drive supply chain traceability and sustainable, climate-smart trade.

Overall, the event underscored the pivotal role of digital innovation and regional cooperation in shaping the future of paperless and resilient trade in the Asia-Pacific.