This article explores how customs and related departments can enhance collaboration and efficiency through the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the Revised Kyoto Convention, promoting smooth international trade and reducing cargo clearance times.
The Regional Office for Capacity Building Asia Pacific (ROCB A/P), with strong support from regional members like Hong Kong Customs, is dedicated to providing high-quality capacity building support to customs administrations in the Asia-Pacific region. The renewed dispatch of technical experts by Hong Kong Customs demonstrates its long-term commitment to regional capacity building. ROCB A/P will continue to play a vital role in facilitating regional trade development, ensuring trade security, and enhancing customs management capabilities.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), as a professional body in the global customs field, is committed to enhancing the efficiency and security of customs management while facilitating international trade. Through extensive international cooperation and technological innovation, WCO promotes the standardization and reform of customs affairs worldwide, becoming a crucial leader in customs management.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) attended the International Air Cargo Forum, focusing on industry challenges and opportunities while emphasizing cooperation and security. The forum covered topics such as cybersecurity, e-commerce, PLACI, and new EU regulations. The WCO presented its tools and measures for trade facilitation and security, and highlighted its collaboration with ICAO on an action plan. The LEADS initiative provides a platform for industry leaders to discuss key challenges facing the air cargo industry, promoting global trade prosperity.
The 19th Heads of WCO Regional Training Centers in Asia Pacific Conference focused on customs capacity building under the pandemic, exploring distance learning strategies, professional development, and data analytics applications. Various centers shared their experiences, emphasizing collaboration to jointly address challenges and promote customs modernization in the Asia-Pacific region. The meeting highlighted the importance of adapting training methods and leveraging technology to ensure continued professional development for customs officers during and after the pandemic.
The Customs Representatives Association's online annual meeting celebrated its reconstruction. The Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization congratulated the association and emphasized the importance of cooperation. The meeting adopted measures to optimize the organization, improve services, and expand international cooperation. These efforts aim to strengthen the association's role in facilitating international trade and promoting effective customs practices worldwide. The focus was on building a more robust and responsive organization to meet the evolving challenges of the global trade landscape and foster stronger partnerships among customs administrations.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) actively promotes cooperation between customs and phytosanitary agencies to enhance trade facilitation. By sharing information, coordinating enforcement, and fostering technological innovation, countries can build more efficient and secure border management systems, promoting global trade prosperity. The Republic of Korea's practices offer valuable lessons for other nations seeking to improve border management and streamline trade processes. This collaborative approach is crucial for balancing trade facilitation with the need to protect plant health and ensure safe trade flows.
The UN Secretary-General met with the Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization, agreeing to strengthen cooperation in addressing global challenges and promoting global economic recovery. Key areas of collaboration include vaccine distribution, combating cross-border crime, facilitating trade, and supporting Sustainable Development Goals. Both parties will enhance information sharing, technological innovation, and capacity building, working towards a safer, more prosperous, and sustainable world. This partnership aims to leverage customs expertise in areas crucial for global stability and economic growth.
The WCO's WACAM project assisted Cape Verde Customs in establishing a stakeholder engagement mechanism to enhance transparency, facilitate trade, combat smuggling, and achieve customs modernization. This initiative fostered collaboration and improved communication between customs authorities and various stakeholders, leading to more efficient and effective customs operations. The project's success highlights the importance of stakeholder involvement in driving customs reform and promoting economic growth.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) jointly held a seminar to strengthen customs-port cooperation and improve global supply chain efficiency. Both parties emphasized the necessity of collaboration and explored ways to break down barriers and achieve mutual trust and benefit through digitalization and standardization. This seminar marks a new stage in customs-port cooperation, foreshadowing new opportunities for global trade development.
