Imagine a think tank composed of customs experts from across the hemisphere, gathered not to negotiate trade agreements, but to collectively design a blueprint for strengthening customs capabilities. This vision became reality during the second meeting of National Contact Points (NCPs) for Customs Capacity Building in the Americas and Caribbean region (AMS), held November 21-23, 2017 in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The landmark meeting aimed to deepen participants' understanding of World Customs Organization (WCO) capacity-building initiatives while emphasizing the pivotal role NCPs play in supporting both WCO headquarters and Regional Capacity Building Offices (ROCBs). Beyond knowledge sharing, the event served as strategic alignment to ensure regional efforts directly support WCO's global objectives.
National Contact Points: The Backbone of Regional Capacity Building
NCPs serve as critical liaisons between national customs administrations and the WCO. Their responsibilities extend beyond information exchange to translating WCO strategies into locally relevant actions. The meeting focused on enhancing NCPs' understanding of their multifaceted roles, including:
- Needs Assessment & Strategic Planning: NCPs must accurately evaluate their administration's capacity gaps and develop tailored improvement strategies, requiring deep understanding of national challenges and development priorities.
- Program Coordination & Implementation: As project managers for WCO initiatives, NCPs ensure smooth execution and measurable outcomes through effective communication and coordination.
- Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in regional exchanges allows NCPs to disseminate best practices while learning from peer administrations' successes.
- Feedback Mechanisms: NCPs provide vital implementation feedback to WCO, enabling continuous improvement of capacity-building frameworks.
ROCBs: Powering Regional Capacity Development
The meeting featured detailed reports from Regional Capacity Building Offices (ROCBs) regarding their activities, challenges, and future plans. These permanent WCO regional offices serve as both strategic implementers and capacity-building accelerators through:
- Conducting needs analyses and designing regionally appropriate programs
- Coordinating international resources and managing project implementation
- Delivering specialized training and technical assistance
- Facilitating knowledge exchange through regional platforms
Key Outcomes: Collaboration, Exchange and Forward Vision
The conference fostered unprecedented cooperation as delegates shared national capacity-building plans while providing constructive feedback to improve WCO/ROCB assessment processes and communication methods. This transparent dialogue established strong foundations for future collaboration.
WCO experts delivered comprehensive updates on the organization's capacity-building model, covering strategic planning, project design, implementation and evaluation methodologies since the first NCP meeting. These insights provided delegates with clearer guidance for national implementation.
In closing remarks, Uruguay Customs Director and WCO Council Chair Enrique Canon emphasized the growing influence of Latin American customs officials within WCO leadership positions - both recognition of regional modernization efforts and validation of officers' professional capabilities.
Future Horizons: Building a More Resilient Customs Network
The meeting marked a new phase for customs capacity development in the Americas and Caribbean, with upcoming priorities including:
- Strengthening the NCP network for enhanced information sharing
- Optimizing needs assessment methodologies
- Deepening engagement with WCO programs
- Expanding regional cooperation to address shared challenges
Through these coordinated efforts, customs administrations across the region are positioned to significantly enhance their operational capabilities, better support economic development, and contribute to global trade security and facilitation.