Law Without Borders: Customs Diplomacy in an Era of Conflict
09.10.2026
When rules are silent and interests speak: the art of customs diplomacy.
On October 2, 2026, our analytical center held the second conference, “Law Without Borders: Customs Diplomacy in an Era of Conflicts.” This event became an important milestone in academic life and resonated widely within the professional community.
The conference attracted exceptional interest: 353 applications were submitted, exceeding the figure for the first conference. Following the selection process, 20 leading speakers were invited, whose abstracts stood out for their depth and promising ideas. Participants represented 26 countries, including Russia, Azerbaijan, China, Laos, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, and other states. Broad international representation made it possible to consider customs security issues from different perspectives, which is especially important amid current geopolitical instability.
The conference addressed current issues and trends in the development of customs affairs and foreign economic activity in the context of digital transformation, geopolitical instability, and global economic challenges.
The program included two sessions with 10 speakers each. The first was devoted to “Theoretical Foundations and New Challenges of Customs Diplomacy in the Context of Geopolitical Turbulence,” and the second to “Technological Sovereignty and Digital Diplomacy: New Tools for Crossing Borders.” During the discussions, a wide range of topics was covered—from international relations and migration to customs operations, technological solutions, and digitalization; all were considered through the lens of contemporary realities.
One of the key moments was the presentation of the Best Speaker of Conference award. The winner was Ms. Alina Sergeevna Kupriyanova, a citizen of the Russian Federation, for her presentation titled “Customs as a Geopolitical Outpost of Diplomacy: From a Fiscal Function to an Instrument of Geopolitical Balance.” Her presentation aroused keen interest among the audience because it addressed key aspects of customs affairs, including mechanisms for implementing the fiscal function and the strategic challenges facing the customs service. Ms. Kupriyanova noted that when people hear the word “customs,” they usually picture a stern uniformed inspector checking suitcases at an airport. However, the modern customs service is a complex mechanism at the intersection of economics, law, and high politics, and a customs officer is an economist, a lawyer, and a diplomat rolled into one.
Congratulations to Ms. Alina Sergeevna Kupriyanova! Her presentation was so precise and attuned to contemporary realities that she is guaranteed a researcher position at our analytical center.
This appointment is a well-deserved recognition of her professionalism and deep understanding of international processes at the border. We wish her success in her academic work, new discoveries, and further achievements for the benefit of peace and stability.
Link to photo: clck.ru/3WPz7g
The conference attracted exceptional interest: 353 applications were submitted, exceeding the figure for the first conference. Following the selection process, 20 leading speakers were invited, whose abstracts stood out for their depth and promising ideas. Participants represented 26 countries, including Russia, Azerbaijan, China, Laos, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, and other states. Broad international representation made it possible to consider customs security issues from different perspectives, which is especially important amid current geopolitical instability.
The conference addressed current issues and trends in the development of customs affairs and foreign economic activity in the context of digital transformation, geopolitical instability, and global economic challenges.
The program included two sessions with 10 speakers each. The first was devoted to “Theoretical Foundations and New Challenges of Customs Diplomacy in the Context of Geopolitical Turbulence,” and the second to “Technological Sovereignty and Digital Diplomacy: New Tools for Crossing Borders.” During the discussions, a wide range of topics was covered—from international relations and migration to customs operations, technological solutions, and digitalization; all were considered through the lens of contemporary realities.
One of the key moments was the presentation of the Best Speaker of Conference award. The winner was Ms. Alina Sergeevna Kupriyanova, a citizen of the Russian Federation, for her presentation titled “Customs as a Geopolitical Outpost of Diplomacy: From a Fiscal Function to an Instrument of Geopolitical Balance.” Her presentation aroused keen interest among the audience because it addressed key aspects of customs affairs, including mechanisms for implementing the fiscal function and the strategic challenges facing the customs service. Ms. Kupriyanova noted that when people hear the word “customs,” they usually picture a stern uniformed inspector checking suitcases at an airport. However, the modern customs service is a complex mechanism at the intersection of economics, law, and high politics, and a customs officer is an economist, a lawyer, and a diplomat rolled into one.
Congratulations to Ms. Alina Sergeevna Kupriyanova! Her presentation was so precise and attuned to contemporary realities that she is guaranteed a researcher position at our analytical center.
This appointment is a well-deserved recognition of her professionalism and deep understanding of international processes at the border. We wish her success in her academic work, new discoveries, and further achievements for the benefit of peace and stability.
Link to photo: clck.ru/3WPz7g
