The World Customs Organization (WCO) was established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) and is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. Today, the WCO represents 183 Customs administrations across the globe that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade.
23rd Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference in the Asia/Pacific Region
On 18 and 19 May 2022, the 23rd Regional Heads of Customs Administrations (RHCA) Conference was held in Bali, Indonesia. The focus was on the three main areas of the WCO, namely, data strategy, Green Customs, and Governance, as well as the recently highlighted role of Customs at fragile borders. The WCO also discussed the modernization of Customs through measures such as digital transformation, human resource development to manage technology, and Customs cooperation.
After reviewing the regional activities which took place over the last year, the Conference endorsed the Regional Strategic Plan 2022-2024, the choice of Japan as the next host of the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) for the A/P region from 2024 onwards, and Australia as the next Vice-Chair.
The role played by Customs Administrations became even more significant during the COVID-19 pandemic in mitigating the crisis and adequately responding to emerging trends, such as the increase of international trade via E-Commerce.
The participants also shared their experience in Coordinated Border Management, use of operations to analyze trends, data strategy and leadership Networking Trade Platform as a model for digital information connectivity, and Smart Strategy. Members had a good opportunity to exchange their views based on the presentations.
Digital tools for disaster management: the COVID-19 Project
The WCO COVID-19 Project, launched in July 2020 with the financial support of the Government of Japan, has released the third edition of its newsletter, themed “Promotion of modern and digital Customs for efficient disaster relief operations.”
The health crisis and other natural disasters that recently hit different parts of the world, such as the tsunami that struck Tonga in January 2022, confirm once again the important role played by Customs in facilitating the movement of the critical supplies and in ensuring efficient coordination with the numerous actors involved in the importation of relief shipments during humanitarian operations. COVID-19 also sped up the digitalization of global trade-related procedures, including Customs ones, making it a priority to guarantee supply chain continuity without compromising on the safety and lawfulness of commercial flows.
The SECO WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme kicks off in Jordan
On 16 May 2022, Jordan welcomed the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), a WCO flagship programme funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), aimed at fostering and facilitating international trade, through the implementation and application of international standards and best practices.
This session will be followed by a 5-day technical assistance mission, which will consist of reviewing the current legal framework and identifying opportunities to facilitate the movement of goods entered through air cargo facilities while ensuring their safety and security through the application of relevant risk parameters.
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