The 143rd /144th Sessions of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council

The 143rd/144th Council Sessions of the World Customs Organization (WCO) were held at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium from 27th to 29th June 2024. Directors General of Customs representing the WCO Members participated. Mr. Jun Tajima, Programme Manager of ROCB A/P attended as an observer.

This Council started the sessions with remarks from the Chairperson of the WCO Council, Mr. Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), and Secretary General of the WCO, Mr. Ian Sanders.

The Council examined the work carried out by the WCO Working Bodies throughout the year. The discussions covered its deliberations on Capacity Building, and other technical issues such as Nomenclature and Classification, Compliance, and Trade Facilitation. Attention was particularly paid to the progress in technology and innovation, Green Customs as well as in governance and accountability, being the three focus areas defined by the Strategic Plan.

The Council also took note of recent developments related to the Exploratory Study on a Possible Strategic Review of the HS (*), with a panel discussion.

[Regional interest]

The Council endorsed a Resolution on Strengthening Customs-Industry Resilience. This Resolution was drafted and initiated by the then-Vice Chair of Asia Pacific Region, Australian Border Force, recognizing the importance of co-designing solutions with industry, sharing knowledge, and preparing for potential threats.  It invites WCO Members to take a series of actions to this aim, including evaluating and monitoring the efficacy of resilience measures on an ongoing basis and enhancing the use of paperless trade through digitalization.

Also, the Council delegates witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on the formalization of the establishment of the Regional Training Centres (RTC) in Cambodia, and in India.

For more information, please contact at rocb@rocbap.org

(*) The Exploratory Study on a Possible Strategic Review of the HS sets out thirty-five findings, including positive recommendations on 15 proposals and referrals for a further 6 proposals, representing changes beyond the existing HS system, for high-level policy consideration.