The World Customs Organization (WCO) Council Sessions focused on the recovery, transformation, and resilience of global trade in the post-pandemic era. Several resolutions were adopted, covering e-commerce, passenger flow management, cross-border vaccine transportation, and gender equality. The WCO is actively adapting to address challenges and embrace opportunities, aiming to build a more efficient, secure, and sustainable global trading system.
In 2017, the World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a diagnostic assessment of the Uganda Revenue Authority's capacity to enforce the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The assessment utilized an institutional assessment tool, combined with field visits and interviews, aiming to enhance Uganda Customs' ability to combat illegal wildlife trade. The assessment findings will guide future cooperation between the WCO and the Uganda Revenue Authority, contributing to global biodiversity conservation efforts.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the WACAM project, assessed and optimized the 2015-2017 strategic plan of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). This initiative aimed to enhance customs modernization in Ghana, enabling it to better adapt to the international trade environment and safeguard national economic development. The focus was on strategic plan compliance, modernization reforms, capacity building, and improving the monitoring and evaluation unit, along with internal project management capabilities. The project sought to improve GRA's overall effectiveness and efficiency in customs operations.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has launched new training materials on employee wellbeing and stress management, aiming to help members build comprehensive wellbeing programs and enhance employee and organizational resilience. The training covers six key themes: happiness, program design, resilience building, psychophysiological health, social wellbeing and balance, and stress management. The WCO will conduct pilot programs and establish a team of experts. Future development will include training materials targeted at other organizational levels.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully held a TRS pre-accreditation workshop in Zambia, aiming to cultivate experts in customs clearance acceleration and help companies build efficient supply chains. By accurately identifying bottlenecks, optimizing business processes, and improving compliance levels, TRS certification can significantly reduce operating costs and enhance customer satisfaction. It is a key for companies to stand out in global trade.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretariat is a key player in global trade, responsible for strategic planning, technical support, capacity building, and international standard setting. Composed of the Policy and Standards Directorate and the Implementation and Capacity Building Directorate, the Secretariat enhances global trade efficiency by simplifying customs procedures, promoting information technology applications, and strengthening international cooperation. It contributes to building a more open, inclusive, and sustainable global trading system. Its work is vital for facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring a secure and predictable international trade environment.
At the request of the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE), the World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted an assistance mission to assess the implementation gaps of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and help develop a five-year strategic plan. This initiative aims to promote customs modernization in Cambodia, enhance trade facilitation, and inject new impetus into economic development. The WCO will continue to support Cambodia's customs capacity building and strengthen international cooperation to jointly address global trade challenges.
The WCO Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop highlighted cross-border e-commerce compliance and the WCO Framework of Standards on Cross-Border E-Commerce. The meeting focused on practical cases such as data exchange and taxation, aiming to promote the healthy development of e-commerce. Discussions centered around streamlining customs procedures, ensuring data security, and fostering international cooperation to facilitate legitimate trade while combating illicit activities. The workshop emphasized the importance of harmonized standards and best practices to create a level playing field for businesses involved in cross-border e-commerce.
Under the WCO's global trade facilitation project, the World Customs Organization (WCO) provided Post Clearance Audit (PCA) technical assistance to the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Uzbekistan. Through remote guidance, simulations, and process optimization recommendations, the assistance aimed to enhance Uzbekistan's PCA capabilities, strengthen trade compliance management, and promote economic development. This support deepened Uzbekistan's understanding of the PCA process, identified areas for improvement, and laid the groundwork for developing customs procedures. The project is expected to significantly improve trade efficiency and security.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Costa Rica's customs in enhancing the implementation of trade facilitation agreements. By providing resources and training, it aims to strengthen customs capabilities and optimize cross-border trade processes, leading to improved international trade compliance and economic growth.
