WCO · 9 - 10 Meeting of the Global Facilitation Partnership for Transportation and Trade (GFP), Cape Town (South Africa) 10 - 11 WCO Conference on “The future of 100% scanning”

WCOn° 56

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W O R L D C U S T O M S O R G A N I Z A T I O N • W W W . W C O O M D . O R G

Election 2008 Portrait of the candidates

› INTERVIEW UPU – WCO, common objectives

› WoRld FoRum WCO in the 21st Century

› PoINT oF VIEW Customs/Private Sector Dialogue

because trucks and containers can be

guided weaponsContainers and trucks can carry weapons, explosives, drugs and people. Yet less than 1% of them are inspected as they travel between countries.

Heimann CargoVision X-ray inspection systems by Smiths Detection are built to help Customs, Security Organizations and Border Authorities fight against terrorism and contraband.

With over 50 years’ experience, and more than 190 Heimann CargoVision units in use worldwide, Smiths Detection offers the ideal solutions to all of these challenges.

Stationary, relocatable and mobile systems designed by Smiths Detection are highly efficient, cost-effective and perfectly adaptable to all security environments. They will guarantee you fast and efficient inspections without disruption the traffic flows.

Smiths Detection has the most comprehensive range of detection technologies in the world today.

Thanks to our flexible approach, we adapt our systems to your specific needs and present the best possible solution to your requirements.

36 rue Charles Heller94405 Vitry sur Seine Cedex. FranceTel : 0033 1 55 53 55 55Fax : 0033 1 55 53 55 35

www.smithsdetection.com

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n° 56

june 2008

Calendar 2

Editorial 3

Flash info 4

Special report 7

Our Members world 18

Close up 24

• EcuadorCustomsAdministration

In conversation 25

• InterviewwithEdouardDayan,DirectorGeneraloftheInternationalBureauoftheUniversalPostalUnion(UPU)

• InterviewwithHassanBaage,UnitedNationsCounter-terrorismCommitteeExecutiveDirectorate

Point of view 32

• “DialoguebetweenCustomsandtheprivatesectorinEastAfrica”byCreckBuyonge

• WCOColumbusprogramme,thevoyagefromrecognitiontorealisation

Events 40• WCOSecretaryGeneral'svisittoZollkriminalamt(ZKA),Cologne(Germany)

• TheFourthGlobalCongressonCombatingCounterfeitingandPiracy,Dubai(UAE)

• 2008WCOInformationTechnologyConference&Exhibition,Seoul(RepublicofKorea)

• WorldCustomsForum2008,"TheWCOinthe21stCentury",Brussels(Belgium)

• EastWestInstitute,Brussels(Belgium)

• OriginTaskForce,Brussels(Belgium)

1

Publishing ManagerMichelDanet

Editor-in-Chief DanielleMaiano

Editors GrantBusbyLaureTempier

Subscriptions LaureTempier

Advertisement & Sales

CatherineOgier

Electronic addressesEditorial & Subscriptions

[email protected] & Advertising

[email protected]

PublisherWorldCustomsOrganization

RueduMarché,30B-1210Brussels

BelgiumTel.:+32(0)22099441Fax:+32(0)22099262

E-mail:[email protected]:www.wcoomd.org

WCO News is distributed free of charge to Customs administrations, internationalorganisations, non-governmental organisations, the business community and otherinterestedreaders. Itshouldbementionedthatopinionsexpressed inWCONewsarethoseofthecontributorsanddonotnecessarilyreflecttheofficialviewsoftheWorldCustomsOrganization.Contributions inEnglishor Frencharewelcomebut shouldbesubmittednotlaterthan11 August 2008.Inthisregard,theWCOreservestherighttopublish,nottopublish,ortoeditarticlestoensuretheirconformitywiththemagazine’seditorialpolicy.TheWCOCommunicationServiceisavailabletoattendtoallrequestsforsubscriptions,submissionofcontributionsforconsideration,andanyotherenquiriesrelatingtoWCONews.Pleasee-mailcommunication@wcoomd.org

D/2008/0448/8

Copyright©2008WorldCustomsOrganizationAll rights reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning translation, reproduction [email protected]

Design:www.inextremis.be

Acknowledgements: TheEditorialTeamwishes toexpress its sinceregratitude toallwhocontributedtothispublication.

Pictures:Oursinceregratitudealsogoestoallwhokindlyprovidedphotos,logosanddrawingstoillustratethisissue.

because trucks and containers can be

guided weaponsContainers and trucks can carry weapons, explosives, drugs and people. Yet less than 1% of them are inspected as they travel between countries.

Heimann CargoVision X-ray inspection systems by Smiths Detection are built to help Customs, Security Organizations and Border Authorities fight against terrorism and contraband.

With over 50 years’ experience, and more than 190 Heimann CargoVision units in use worldwide, Smiths Detection offers the ideal solutions to all of these challenges.

Stationary, relocatable and mobile systems designed by Smiths Detection are highly efficient, cost-effective and perfectly adaptable to all security environments. They will guarantee you fast and efficient inspections without disruption the traffic flows.

Smiths Detection has the most comprehensive range of detection technologies in the world today.

Thanks to our flexible approach, we adapt our systems to your specific needs and present the best possible solution to your requirements.

36 rue Charles Heller94405 Vitry sur Seine Cedex. FranceTel : 0033 1 55 53 55 55Fax : 0033 1 55 53 55 35

www.smithsdetection.com

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Calendar of EventsIt should be noted that these meetings are mentioned for information purposes and are not all open to the public. TrainingWorkshopsaredevotedtoPrivatesector.Unlessotherwiseindicated,allmeetingsareheldinBrussels.Please note that these dates are indicative only and may be subject to change.ThisdocumentisregularlyupdatedontheWCOMembers’website,underthe“Informationfordelegates”section,andontheWCOpublicwebsite:www.wcoomd.org

JUNE

7 EuropeanCommission'sOpenDay

9-10 MeetingoftheGlobalFacilitationPartnershipforTransportationandTrade(GFP),CapeTown(SouthAfrica)

10-11 WCOConferenceon“Thefutureof100%scanning”

10-12 ExpertTrainingWorkshopforRightsHoldersonCombatingCounterfeitingandPiracy

16-17 WCOConferenceonRulesofOrigin

23-25 PolicyCommission(59thSession)

26-28 CouncilSessions(111th/112thSessions)

JUly

1st 40thAnniversaryoftheEuropeanCustomsUnion

23–12/08 24thUniversalPostalCongress,Geneva(Switzerland)

SEPtEMbEr

17-19 HarmonizedSystemCommitteeWorkingParty

22–03/10 HarmonizedSystemCommittee(42ndSession)

OCtObEr

2 InternationalDonorConference,London(UK)

6-7 WorkingGrouponPublications

13 PrivateSectorConsultativeGroupBusinessMeeting

13-17 DataModelProjectTeam

14-15 HarmonizedSystemGeneralInterpretativeRulesTrainingWorkshop

14-15 SAFEWorkingGroup(3rdMeeting)

16-17 HarmonizedSystemforHigh-techProductsTrainingWorkshop

20-24 TechnicalCommitteeonCustomsValuation(27thSession)

27-28 FinanceCommittee(85thSession)

28-30 ExpertTrainingWorkshoponRulesofOrigin

30-31 SECUREWorkingGroup(4thMeeting)

NOvEMbEr

5-6 AdministrativeCommitteefortheCustomsConventiononContainers,1972(11thSession)

10-11 RevisedKyotoConventionManagementCommittee(5thMeeting)

11 WCO/ICAO/IATAAPIWorkingGroup(3rdMeeting)

12-14 PermanentTechnicalCommittee(183rd/184thSessions)

13 WCO/UPUContactCommittee(29thMeeting),Berne(Switzerland)

17-28 HarmonizedSystemReviewSub-Committee(38thSession)

18-19 ExpertTrainingWorkshoponCustomsValuation&TransferPricing

25-27 TrainingWorkshoponCombatingCounterfeitingandPiracy

27-28 IntegritySub-Committee

DECEMbEr

1-3 GlobalRILOMeeting(7thMeeting)

4-5 CENManagementTeam,CENMat(8thMeeting)

9-11 PolicyCommission(60thSession)

16-18 WorkingGrouponCommercialFraud(4thMeeting)

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e d I T O r I a l

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Dearreader,

Thisfirsthalfof2008seemstohaveflownbyintheblinkofaneye,punctuatedbymeetingsandeventsfollowingonfromeachother,bothstandardandthosedrivenbytheimmediateneedsofissuesthatcometohand.Alltheseeventsfeelliketheyonlyhappenedyesterday,yetarealreadylonggone.

Insixmonths’time,theSecretaryGeneralappointedattheforthcomingCouncilSessionswilltakeuphispost,andachapterwillcloseonthetenyearsIhavespentservingtheinternationalCustomscommunity.

Wehavereachedaturningpointwhereuponwemustmeetamultitudeofchal-lenges, whilst seizing the opportunities offered by today’s global environmentwhichisundergoingmassiveupheavals.Theeconomic,social,environmentalandtechnological changes thatareoccurringshouldspuruson toconductacritical

reviewofourorganizationalandoperationalmethodsasthiswillfacilitateconstructivedeliberationsandhelpustochartthewayforward.

Participantsattending“TheWCOinthe21stCentury”ConferenceorganizedbytheSecretariatinMarch2008inBrusselswereunanimousonthispoint.Thekeywordmustbe“evolution”ifwearetofullymeetthecurrentresultsandperformancetargetsexpectedofus.Evolutionorextinctionisthestarkchallengeweface!

The21stCenturywillbeaperiod inwhichCustomsmodernizes itsactivities.TheCustomscommunitymustdemonstratestrength,takeupitspositionandrole,workonthebasisofstrategicpartnershipsandlaunchgroundbreakinginitiativesinthefield.

Ourfuturecanonlybebuilttogetherinaspiritofsolidarity,co-operation,sharingandinnovation,andnotinanunsystematicmanner.Thebridgesbetweenwhatusedtobethetotallyseparateworldsofthepublic andprivate sectors are nowgaining in number and strength.Wemust grasp theopportunitiesoffered,learnfromourdiversity,defendoursharedvaluesandcommoninterestsandexpressourcon-cernswithonevoice.

ThefuturescenarioswemayimaginewillshapetheOrganization’sworkoverthenextfiveyears.Itwillconsequentlyfalluponthenewteamtakingupofficeoverthecomingmonths(newChairpersonoftheCouncil,regionalVice-Chairs,SecretaryGeneral,etc.)tocombinesynergiessoastoensuretheinterna-tionalCustomscommunityeffectivelyadaptstoanever-changingenvironment,andtogiveCustomstheimpetusitneedstobefullyefficienttheworldover.

ThiseditiongivesyouthelatestnewsonglobalCustomsissuesandontheninecandidatesforthepostofSecretaryGeneral,andofferssomethoughtsoncurrentprogrammesandfuturetopics.

I trust youwill enjoy reading it, and I look forward to catching upwith you again after the summerbreak.

Michel DanetSecretary General

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Ourfour-leggedfriendswillvietobeEuropeanchampionlatvia’s State RevenueService and NationalBoard of Customs willhost the 6th EuropeanChampionshipofCustomsDrugSearchingDogsfrom15-20 September 2008.Aimed at promotingcooperation among doghandlers from EuropeanCustoms services andenhancing awarenessamong the public aboutthe important role played

bydrugsnifferdogsincounteringtheillegalspreadofnarcoticdrugsandpsychotropicsubstances,thispopulareventwillwit-nessdogsandtheirhandlersfromacrossEuropecompetingin

twodisciplines,namely,drugsearchingandobedience.Duringthe drug searching section, the dogs will search for drugssuch as heroine, cocaine, hashish and marijuana in trucks,cars,premisesandluggagewhilsttheobediencesection will entail eight exercises, includingendurancetestsandreactiontogunshot.

Toregisteryourparticipation,contacttheorganizerswithoutdelay.

A photo of thewinnerwill appear in afutureeditionofWCONews. l

More [email protected]@vid.gov.lv

MultimediatrainingbecomespartofeverydaylifeinCustoms

the e-learning programme continues to enjoy great successwithWCOMembers.

Sinceourlast issue,twoAdministrationshavebenefitedfromane-learningroll-outmission.

Let’s start at the regional level: the Regional Training Centrein Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), the first Centre forthe Americas/Caribbean region, has been equipped with thee-learningprogrammesincetheveryoutset.Asubstantialpro-portionofthemoduleswhichhavebeentranslatedintoSpanishhave been installed, in order to fast-track the availability ofe-learningintheregion.

Thisroll-outmissionalsoprovidedanopportunitytotrainrepre-sentativesoftheCCLEC(CaribbeanCustomsLawEnforcementCouncil) Secretariat, who will be able to manage, independ-ently, a training platform hosted by theDominican CustomsAdministration.

Movingontothenationallevel,CubanCustomshasalsobene-fitedfromtheintegrationoftheprogrammeintoitslocalnet-work.Adaptationsandtranslationsarealreadybeingplanned.The technical environmentof theCustomsAdministrationofthe Republic of Cuba, based on free technologies, providesfurtherconfirmationthatthee-learningsystemcanbeadaptedto suit administrations’ specific requirements, and that thetechnicalcharacteristicsofthesystemdonotgiverisetoanyparticularrestrictionswhereitsinstallationisconcerned.

Finally,on28March2008,aMemorandumofUnderstandingon the intended roll-out of the e-learning programme wassignedbetweentheWCOandtheCustomsAdministrationofParaguay. l

More [email protected]

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5W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

WelcomeThe WCO has welcomed the Republic of Djibouti and Belizeinto the international Customs family. TheWCOnowhas 173Members*.*EuropeanCommunitiesarenotaWCOMemberbuttheyhave,asaninterimmeasure,rightsakintothoseofaWCOMemberformattersfallingwithintheircompetence,pendingtheentryintoforceoftheamendmentstotheCCCConvention.

www.wcoomd.org

Coming soon TheWCO’sAnnualReportsfor2007on“CustomsandTobacco”,“CustomsandDrugs”and“CustomsandIPR”willbepublishedinlateJune2008.www.wcoomd.org

Protecting the environmentNew Zealand is the host country forWorld Environment Day,celebrated on 5 June 2008. The theme for 2008 is: “Kick thehabit!Towardsalowcarboneconomy”.WorldEnvironmentDayiscommemoratedinadifferentcityeachyear.ThisisoneoftheprincipalvehiclesthroughwhichtheUnitedNationsstimulatesworldwideawarenessoftheenvironmentandenhancespoliticalattentionandaction.www.unep.org/wed/2008

NewsOpenDayattheEuropeanCommissionHave you always wanted to know what goes on behind thescenes at the EuropeanCommission?Here is your chance!On7 June 2008, the European Commission – togetherwith otherEU institutions – opens its doors. The Directorate-General forTaxation and Customs Union, in co-operation with BelgianCustoms,willbeorganizingvariousindoorandoutdooractivitiesattheBerlaymontBuildingonRuedelaLoi,Brussels(Belgium).http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/index_en.htm

For your diaryDon’tforgettheInternationalDayagainstDrugAbuseandIllicitTrafficking, on 26 June. TheWCOwill be commemorating theDayduringthe111th/112thCouncilSessions.ThisformspartoftheWCO’sActionProgrammeunderitsthemefortheyear2008,theaimbeingtomakeasmanypeopleaspossibleawarethatdrugsposeathreattosocietyasawhole,andthatno-oneissafefromtheiraffects.www.wcoomd.org

love it ! From 15 to 20 September 2008, the Latvian CustomsAdministrationwillorganizethe6thEuropeanChampionshipforCustomsdrugdetectordogteams.anita.ezis@vid.gov.lv

>>Snippets….

buy online TheWCOhassetupanonlinebookshop,soallourpublicationsarejustaclickaway.Youcanpayonlineorbybanktransfer.http://publications.wcoomd.org/[email protected]

WtO accessionOn 5 February 2008, theWTO General Council approved theaccession package of Ukraine. Ukraine’s membership will beeffective30daysafter itsacceptanceof itsmembershipterms.Ukrainebecamethe152ndmemberoftheWTOon16May2008.Ukrainehasuntil4July2008toratifyitsaccessionpackage.www.wto.org

NotepadOn22January2008,theUnitedRepublicofTanzaniadepositedwiththeSecretaryGeneraloftheWorldCustomsOrganizationitsinstrumentofratificationoftheConventionontheHarmonizedCommodityDescriptionandCodingSystem(HS).TheConventionenteredintoforceinTanzaniaon1January2008.ThisbringsthenumberofHSContractingPartiesto133.www.wcoomd.org

What’s newThe 3rdCapacity Building Trends and Patterns Report has beenpublished. It is available on theWCOWebsite, along with anup-to-datemapshowingtheprogressmadewiththeColumbusProgramme.www.wcoomd.org

AppointmentsRecentappointmentsofDirectorsGeneralofCustoms:SilvinaTirabassi(Argentina);JamesSagbo(Benin);GuangzuSheng(China); Alphonse Mangly (Côte d’Ivoire); Grigol Gobejishvili(Georgia); P. C. Jha (India); Dott. Guiseppe Peleggi (Italy);Hur Yong-Suk (Korea); Amadou Togola (Mali); Viorel Melnic(Moldova).

A step forwardThePeople’sRepublicofChinawillhosttheGamesoftheXXIXthOlympiadinBeijing,from8to24August2008.TheParalympicGameswilltakeplacefrom6to17September.

TheuseofATAcarnetsforthetemporaryimportationofgoodsintendedfortheSummer2008OlympicandParalympicGameshasbeenauthorizedbytheGovernmentofthePeople’sRepublicofChina.Detailedguidelinesdescribing,inparticular,theclear-ance provisions, can be consulted (in English only) via the fol-lowinglink:http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/official/bulletin/media/n214144391.shtml

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Illicittraffickingindrugsandnarcoticsisanextremelydamag-inginternationalphenomenon,adverselyaffectingallnations.Beinga toppriority for theThailand, theThaiGovernment isdeterminedtocombatdrugsmugglingusingvariousmeasuresand strategies at its disposal: risk management, coopera-tion;operationalplans;profiling; intelligenceandinformation;awarenesscampaigns;andtheuseofhi-technology.

The WCO dedicated the year 2008 to the fight against thisillegal tradeat itsannual InternationalCustomsDay launch inJanuary. l

More [email protected]

thaiCustomsofficers,incooperationwiththelocalNarcoticsControl Board and the Food and Drug Administration, con-ductedexportsecurityoperationsthatresultedintheseizureof50.4tonsofillicitSafrole,aprecursorchemicalusedintheille-galproductionofEcstasy.Ecstasy,apopulardruginyouthclubculture,isapsychotropicdrugthataffectsthebrain’suseofthenaturally-produced serotonin chemicalwhich regulatesmoodand aggression. Safrole is a controlled substance under thetermsof theUNConvention against Illicit Traffic inNarcoticDrugsandPsychotropicSubstancesof1988.

Asaresultofsharedintelligence,theSafrolewasdiscoveredatLaemChabangPortinThailandwhilethecargoawaitedexportclearance.Onecontainerwith80drumswasdestinedfortheUSandtwocontainerswith160drumsweredestinedforthePeople’sRepublicofChina.

Thailandstepsupitsfightagainstdrugtrafficking

job name: AUB “D_Shipping” NY/LGA

media type: OOH

media unit: Hanging Banner

b/w or color: 4/C

client: Microsoft

job #: MAUB-GEN-50600285-D

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file name: 50600285_D.indd

studio artist: Tiger • ME ST G5 [Jeff Boice]

date: 3/7/06 3:33 PM

rounds: 2 of 3 collects: 0 of 2appr

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noff PF CD TM

AD PR AB

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link names: Shipping_OOH_SWOP.tif (CMYK; 609 ppi), AUB_OOH_type_rev.ai, AUB_OOH_icons_rev_v2.ai, YPOP_Corp_OOH_w.ai

font family: Segoe (Light, Regular, Bold)

ink names: Process Cyan, Process Magenta, Process Yellow, Process Black

notes:

scale: Mechanical built at 1/12 size

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mech trim: 10”h x 14”w

mech bleed: .125”

laser output at: 100%

Are your to shrink continents?microsoft.com/peopleready

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S p e C I a l r e p O r T

W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

Election 2008 Portrait of the candidatesthesecondtermofofficeoftheSecretaryGeneral,Mr.MichelDanet,willexpireon31December2008.TheCouncilwillappointanewSecretaryGeneralon28June2008,duringits111th/112thSessions.Thecandidatewhoiselectedbyhispeerswilltakeuphisposton1January2009.

InterestedpartieswereinvitedtosubmittheircandidaturetotheCouncilSecretariat.Applicationshavebeenreceivedfromninecandidates.

Basedoninformationsubmittedbyeachofthecandidatesandtheiranswerstotwoquestions(limitedtoamaximumnumberofwords),theWCONewsEditorialBoardhaspreparedaninformationsheetoneachofthem.Thesemakeupthisissue’sSpecialReport.

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Netherlands

•Familyname:vanBodegraven

•Firstname(s):Hans

•Sex:M

• Dateofbirth:21February1949

•Placeofbirth:TheHague

•Nationality:Dutch

•Languageskills

-Mothertongue Dutch

-Otherlanguage(s)

Read Write Speak

English Verywell Verywell Verywell

French Verywell Verywell Verywell

German Verywell Verywell Verywell

Professional experience

Since 2005 I fulfil the post of Director for Customs andConsumerTaxes, responsible forcustomspoliciesand legisla-tionaswell aspoliciesand legislations in the fieldof indirecttaxation,generatingmorethanhalfoftheDutchstaterevenuefromtaxes(morethan€70billion).

Before that I fulfilled thepostofDirector forCustomsPolicyandLegislation,oneofthemostseniormanagementposts inDutchCustoms,responsibleforallgeneralpolicies,legislation,internationalrelationsandEUmatters.

Until 1993, I was Director for Customs Affairs, responsibleforoperationalandstrategicCustomspoliciesoftheTaxandCustomsAdministration.

Prior to that, from1976onwards, Iheldanumberof (senior)managementpostswithintheCustomsserviceandtheMinistryofFinance,coveringalmostalloperationalandpolicyareasofCustoms.

What I would like to achieve during my term of office

TheWCOisaglobalinstitution,belongingtoandworkingfor all countries. However, the current functioning doesnot allow every country equal possibility for making itsvoiceheard,thoughtheimportanceofCustomsforthose

countries might be greater than for some better heardcountries.Therelativeinfluencedependsonthepossibili-tytobepresent.Forinstancebyfinancialrestrictions,lackoflanguageskillsorfinancialimportance,somecountriesare not in a position to fully participate in the work ofWCO. Since its start circumstances and themembershiphavechanged.

A re-consideration of the way in which the institutionsfunction,andthelanguagesusedisimperative.

Thecompositionof the secretariat staff shouldalsobeamoreaccuratereflectionoftheinternationalcontext.

More over, some “traditional” Customs issues, such ascommercial fraud, protection of society (health, culturalheritage, environmental issues) has received less atten-tiondue to the focusonsafetyandsecurity issues.Moreattention should be given to these issues, which are ofcriticalimportanceformanyofthemembers.

My vision for the future of the WCO

Expandingworldtrademountsprosperity,butatthesametimeglobalisation and sharply increasing trade flows arepresentingcustomsserviceswithnewchallenges.

Customs administrations are being pushed to speed uptheir work, at the same time maintaining their quality.Citizens are demanding that theywill be protected fromwhatever danger coming from outside their countries,regardlesswhich organisationwill do that. AnyCustomsadministration,regardlessofitssize,willbeabletomeetthechallengesonitsown.

International cooperation is imperative, cooperationbetween Customs administrations, with other govern-mentalorganizationsandthebusinesscommunity.

TheWCOwill be themost effective instrument for for-mulating a response to these challenges. The WCO isnot only the platform where Customs meet, but alsothe natural contact for other international organizationswhosesphereofworkistrade,transport,securityandlawenforcement.

As suchWCOwill be taking the lead in building bridgesbetween all parties involved to arrive at a truly interna-tionalcooperation,givingCustomsitslegitimateplaceininternationaltradeandprotectionofsociety.

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Senegal What I would like to achieve during my term of office

• Speed up the implementation of the SAFE Framework ofStandards as a tool for the modernization of Customsthrough,firstly,world-wideratificationoftheRevisedKyotoConvention and the adoption of appropriate risk manage-menttoolsand,secondly,practicalmeasurestotakecareofthedemandsofinternationalsupplychainsecurity.

• Continuewith theColumbusProgrammeof capacitybuild-ing,technicalassistanceandtraining,takinggreateraccountofthewiderangeofsituationsinwhichdevelopingcountryCustomsadministrationsfindthemselves,insomecasescon-frontedbyapost-warenvironment,oftenbyorganizationaland human resource problems, and always by the need tocollectrevenuefortheState;

• Promote the Johannesburg Convention in order to signifi-cantlyimproveinformationexchangebetweenMembersandcombatcommercialfraudmoreeffectively.


TheWCOhasreachedacrossroads.Itscoursemustbesteeredin the light of an appropriate vision. The WCO must “learnnot to keepwaiting”. TheOrganization needs to adapt itselfconstantly,modifyingitsinstrumentsandcreatingnewones;itmustbemoreresponsiveandforward-looking,toensurethatitremainsevermoreusefultoitsMembers.

In theCustomsadministrationof the future, informationwillbeexchangedinreal-timeusingmoderncommunicationtech-nologytools;thismeansthatthecapacitybuildingprogrammeandthepromotionofalllanguagesareessential.

The task of making the international supply chain secure isone of themost significant challenges facingworld trade. Inorder to deal with it appropriately, and in all circumstances,theWCOmustact faster.TheSAFEFrameworkofStandardsallowsalltheconcernsofthedifferentregionsoftheworldtobe combined harmoniously, from security to facilitation, viacapacitybuilding.

Inthefieldofgoodgovernanceandcombatingcorruption,theWCOmustsupportitsMemberssteadfastlyandhelpthemtoimprovetheimageofCustoms.

GreateropennessoftheWCOtowardstheprivatesectorhasbecome an absolute necessity, for the production of suitablestandardsforpassagethroughCustoms,andtocombatcoun-terfeitingandillicitdrugtrafficking.

•Familyname:Camara

•Firstname(s):Boubacar

•Sex:M

•Dateofbirth:26June1958

•Placeofbirth:Dakar

•Nationality:Senegalese

•Languageskills

-Mothertongue Wolof

-Otherlanguage(s)

Read Write Speak

English Verywell Verywell Well


Arabic Fairlywell Fairlywell Fairlywell


Mr. Camara,who has a doctorate in Customs law, is a StateInspectorGeneralinSenegal.HewasSenegal’sDirectorGeneralofCustomsfrom2000to2004.

A former soldier, he has been a Customs officer, a Customsexaminer and then a Customs inspector. As Patrol SquadronLeader, Head of Brigade, Chief Inspector, Examiner, Head ofa Trade Fair Customs office, Investigator, he has worked inthe areas of surveillance, commercial operations and post-clearancevaluationcontrol.

AformerMerchantNavyofficer,heisalsoamaritimeassessorandvaluer.Heparticipated,asTradePointSenegalconsultant,inthedesignoftheORBUS2000Customsfacilitationtool.

He is a trainer in Customs proceedings, clearance proce-dures, international trade,maritime operations and Customsvaluation. He is co-founder of the International Academy ofAdvancedStudiesinSecurity,inDakar.

Mr.CamarahasbeenPermanentSecretaryoftheMutuelledesDouanes.

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•Familyname:Colpin

•Firstname(s):Noel,Leon

•Sex:M

• Dateofbirth:

25December1948

•Nationality:Belgian

•Placeofbirth:Dendermonde

•Languageskills

-Mothertongue Dutch

-Otherlanguage(s)

Read Write Speak

English Verywell Well Verywell


German Fairlywell Fairlywell Fairlywell

Professional experienceI’ve beenworking 36 years for the Belgian Administration ofcustoms and excise. As Director General, I’ve been leading4.500customsofficialssince2003.Myexperiencesinclude:

professional management, thanks to an in-depthMBA pro-gramme.Thisincludesstrategicplanningandcontrolmana-gementwithinCustomsandExcise.

managing major change projects: implementation ofe-Customs, installation ofmodern detection equipment inportsandairports,testingofSecureTradeLaneswithIndia,SouthAfrica,SouthKoreaandRussia, scanningprojects fortheportsofAntwerpandZeebrugge.

structured consultation with trade and other public authorities

vastinternational experienceasmemberoftheinternationalbodies:PolicyCommissionofthecustomsunionoftheEU,Policy Commission of the WCO, President of the AuditCommitteeoftheWCO,PresidentoftheCustomsCounciloftheBelgianEconomicUnionandPresidentoftheEuropeanCorporateSecurityAssociationarejustafewofmynumer-ousinternationalexperiences.


• Building a broad consensus between members on a newdirectionforcustomsingeneralandWCOinparticular.

• Creating‘SWIFT*ofCustoms’,aglobalsystemthatleadstoanintegratedmanagementoftheinternationalsupplychain,facilitatestrade,optimisesrevenueandimprovessecurity.

• Arranging FUNDING to implement this SWIFT* model ona sustainable GLOBAL BUSINESS MODEL, based on costsavings,reducedthroughputandincrementalrevenue.

• Ensuring that capacity building is real and substantive,not just diagnostic. To this end, it’s necessary to focus onE-CAPACITYBUILDINGfortheCustomsintheDEVELOPINGandLESSDEVELOPEDCOUNTRIEStoachievetheultimateobjectiveofPaperlessCustomsby2020.

• Restructuring WCO to make it more balanced in geo-economicrepresentation,toadapt ittothe largegrowth inmembershipandfacechallengesof21stcentury.

• ManagingWCOprofessionally,accordingtothebestinterna-tionalstandardsofgovernance,audit&accountancy.

• Positioning WCO as an international Centre of techni-cal EXCELLENCE, as well as a repository of STRATEGICINTELLIGENCE, not only in thematters of customs, but intheinternationalsupplychainmanagement.


In aworld of globalising trade and an increasing demand forsecurity, I believe that Customs has to change its operating modelfromlocaltoglobal.Inthischangingworld,theCustomsof a country cannot function in isolation. Every import is anexportfromsomewhereelse.

For that reason, I stronglybelievethat-morethanever -wemustseeexportandimportasthetwoendsofthesametradechain,withnotonlyaflowofgoodsandmoney,butalsoaflowof informationand trust. Ifwecanconnect import and exportinabetterway,wecanavoidineffectivecontrol,lackoftrans-parency,mismatches, repetitive submission of the same datasets.Simplyput:wecanavoidhighercostsandimprovetradeandsecurity.

Howcanwedothat?ThenewoperatingmodelofCustomshastobebasedonanintegratedmanagementoftheinternationalsupplychain,supportedbyaseamlessflowofonlinerealtimeinformationandmutualrecognitionofcontrols.Whatisneed-edis‘SWIFT*ofCustoms’-ageneralisedinformationexchangemechanism between customs. TheWCO has to become theglobalhubthatleadsCustomsinaneweraofintegration,secu-rity,transparencyande-customs.

*SWIFTisthetradingnameofS.W.I.F.T.SCRL

belgium

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Sweden

•Familyname:Karlsson

•Firstname(s):Lars

•Sex:M

•Dateofbirth:29April1964

• Placeofbirth:Tommarp

•Nationality:Swedish

•Languageskills

-Mothertongue Swedish

-Otherlanguage(s)

Read Write Speak


French Fairlywell Fairlywell Fairlywell

Professional experienceLarsKarlssonhasdemonstratedstrongandmodernleadershipthroughouthiscareerandanabilitytobringwordsintoaction.In 2004 he was appointed Deputy Director General of theSwedishCustomsService.

Priortothis,heservedfor15yearsasNationalDirectorofIT&Developments,directorandmanagerwithinSwedishCustoms.HeisalsothefounderoftheFutureCentreforinnovationsandtrendanalysis.

DuringhisyearswithinSwedishGovernment,LarsKarlssonwasthedriverbehindnumerousmodernisationprogrammesintheSwedishPublicSectorandhehasbeenworkinginternationallyinprojectsandcommitteesformanyyears.

Heisawell-knownandrespectedspeaker.HehasbeenChairmanandKeyNoteSpeakeratmanyInternationalConferences.

In 2001 Lars Karlsson receivedHer RoyalHighness the CrownPrincess’GothiaPrizeforthebestinnovationoftheyear.In2003LarsKarlssonwasnominatedSwedishManageroftheYear.

What I would you like to achieve during my term of office

Together,weshallreformandstrengthentheWCOSecretariat,aswellastheregionalstructure,tomakeuspreparedandabletotakeonanychallengesofthe21stcentury.Thisisaprerequisite

formakingtheWCOconventions,instruments,toolsandsys-temsworkonthegroundinallMembercountries.

An implementation plan and aCapacityBuilding Programme,focusingonthecorebusinessofCustoms;valuation,classifica-tionandrulesoforigin,aswellaskeyareas likeenforcement,securityandtradefacilitation;shouldalwaysfollowtosupportthisprocess.

TheWCO should provide the right services at the right timewith the right competence and the right resources, treatingeveryMemberasanimportantanduniqueclient.

TheWCOisamember-drivenorganisation,afactthatshouldbereflectedinourdailyoperations,balanceofstaffaswellasappliedlanguageregimes.

Furthermore,Customs,andtheWCO,shouldbeabletomastertheexchangeofdatabetweencountriesinrelationtointerna-tionaltrade,andbydoingsobecomingtheleadingorganisationonriskmanagementintheworld.Weneedpracticalstandardsthat can be used for the benefit of all stakeholders, trans-formingwordsintoactionanddeliverresults.

Finally,the introductionofthenextgenerationofpartnershipwithTradeandIndustryandaGlobalNetworkfortheGlobalVillage isahighpriorityofmine.Thisshould includeaglobalAEOmodel,managedbytheWCO.

IfirmlybelievetheWCOshouldprovideopensourcestandardspecificationsforITCustomssystem,andastandardinterfacefor connectivity between systems.We should do things, notonlytalkaboutthem.


TheWCOshouldbeapro-activeglobal leader,recognizedforits capacity to develop, deliver and implement internationalstandardsforCustomsandTrade.

Weshallbuildsustainableinstitutionsthatcanmanagechangeandwhichwillberecognisedaskeyinstitutionscontributingtosafeandefficienttrade,povertyreductionandamoreprosper-ousworld.

The true values of transparency, efficiency and good gover-nanceshallpermeatealloftheWCO.

Ultimately, all Customs administrations should become theleadingnationaladministrationwithintheirGovernments.

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France

•Familyname:Kearney

• Firstname(s):PhilippeArnaud

Brendan

•Sex:M

•Dateofbirth:26March1965

• Placeofbirth:

NeuillysurSeine

•Nationality:French

•Languageskills

-Mothertongue French

-Otherlanguage(s)

Read Write Speak


German Fairlywell Fairlywell Fairlywell

Spanish Beginner Beginner Beginner

Professional experience I worked in the Office of the French Prime Minister from1991 – 1995 where I oversaw human resource policy andlabourrelations.IhavebeenaCustomsofficersince1995.

From 1995 - 1998, I served as Customs Attaché to theEuropeanUnioninBrussels.

During1998-2001, IwastheHeadofUnit responsible foragriculturalexportations,sanitarycontrols,andcommercialpolicycontrollingthetradeinarms,dual-usegoods,embar-goes,etc.

Since 2002, I have been Deputy Director of InternationalTrade.AstheHeadof100officers,Iamresponsibleforinter-national co-operation, policy and computerization (DELTA)ofclearances,sanitaryandcommercialquestions,nomencla-ture,valuation,originandintellectualproperty.


Iwill be a strong, listening and achieving secretary general. Ibuildmyplatformthroughdiscussionswithdirectorgenerals.IfI’melected,ourcommonplatformwillbeturnedintoWCO’sStrategyforfiveyears.

•Capacity building will be my mandate’s top priority: I willbridge the gap between the need and the money throughEurocustoms donation, renewed partnerships with interna-tional organization, new members’ fees and Public private

partnerships…Iwillcreateacustomsrapiddeploymentforceto intervene when a crisis requires. Undermymandate, nocustomswouldbeleftbehind.

• I will enhance customs fiscal roleinordertosecurebudgetaryresourcesandtoprepare fiscal transition:corruptionhas tobeaddressed.Astatisticalteamwillscrutinizetradebalancesto detect discrepancies and frauds. Exchange of statisticalandoperational informationwillbe increased.Major fraudswillbenotifiedwithoutdelays.Theexchangeonvaluesissuewill be addressed as a top priority. Post clearance controlswillbemademoreefficient.

• I will make us strong on our core business:Iwillbuildaglobalplanwithaviewtoeradicatedrugsmugglingby2020.Iwillfight counterfeiting. Iwill aim at 100% safety of the sup-ply chain from criminal and terrorist intrusions,more thanfocusingonthe100%scanningtool.

• I will make Customs easy for traders: Iwillestablishacustoms– trade council with the main business organizations andmain global companies. I will build a global interoperativecomputerizedsystemsandasimplifiedcommonsetofdocu-mentsandrequiredinformation.

• I will strengthen customs global mission:IwillhavetheWCOacknowledged as the experts and delegate agency on cus-tomsrelatedissues.

• Democracy and efficiency will progress within WCO: LinguisticregimewillbeextendedtoArabic,RussianandSpanish.Thepolicy commissionwill represent 15 – 20%ofWCOmem-bers.ABoard including all regionswill followup strategiesonamonthlybasis. Iwillhave theWCOconventionmodi-fiedsothatSGanddeputySGcouldnotbereelected.Iwillfollow-on Mr. Danet’s efforts toward better managementandgovernance.


WCOisfacingcriticalyears.Ifitcan’tatthesametimekeepthehigh level of political visibility achieved underMichel Danet,buildanefficientanswertoglobalchallengesstrengtheninter-naldemocracyandintegrateallcustomsissues,WCOfacestherisktobetornourbyotherorganizations

MyvisionIwilldevotemymandateto,isthatofanactiveandinclusiveorganization:WCOwill serveall itsmembers; itwilladdressall thecustoms issuesnowwidespreadalloverotherinternationalorganizations.

My platform is also inclusive in offering strong consistencybetweenthevisionanditspracticalimplementation.WCOwillbeforwardlooking.Itwillbuildaframeworkhelpingglobaliza-tiontodeliver itspromisesandfighting itssideeffects.WCOwillhelpinnovationstobesharedbyitsmembers.

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•Family name: Lempiäinen

•Firstname(s):JoukoJuhani

•Sex:M

• Date of birth:7September1959

• Place of birth:Helsinki

•Nationality:Finnish

•language skills

-Mothertongue Finnish

-Otherlanguage(s)

Read Write Speak


French Verywell Well Verywell

Swedish Well Well Well



Extensive national and international experience in expert andmanagement level covering main customs areas: taxation,enforcement,proceduresandcustomspolicy. CustomsCounsellor,PermanentRepresentationofFinlandtotheEU,since2007,Brussels

Director,EUandInternationalAffairs,2006-2007,BoardofCustoms,Helsinki

Director, Compliance, Facilitation and Capacity Building,WCO,2001-2005,Brussels

CustomsCounsellor,PermanentRepresentationofFinlandtotheEU,1998-2000,Brussels

National Expert, DG Taxation and Customs, EuropeanCommission,1995-1998,Brussels

SpecialAdviser to theDirectorGeneral,BoardofCustoms,1993-1995,Helsinki

PlanningManagerandPlanningSpecialist,BoardofCustoms,1990-1993,Helsinki

Head of Criminal Investigation, Helsinki District Customs,1988-1990,Helsinki

Customs Inspector, Tax Department, Helsinki DistrictCustoms,1985-1988,Helsinki


AsSecretaryGeneral,Iwould:

WCO• StrengthenanddevelopWCOCapacityBuildingtoestablisha

comprehensiveapproachprovidingeveryMemberwithassist-anceaccordingtotheirneeds.

• Develop WCO’s capacity to provide support to CustomsAdministrations,especiallyintheareaofcustomscomputeriza-tion,electronicdatainterchangeandtechnology.

• Establish theWCOas the internationally recognizedcustomsstandardsettingorganization.

• Prioritize support for the implementation ofWCO standardsandotherinstrumentstoensuretheyareimplementedworld-wideandappliedbyall.

• Develop WCO’s strategic capacity and strategic planning toensure proactive approach towards future challenges andopportunities.

• Enhanceco-operationintheinterestoftradefacilitation,fightagainstfraudandtoensuretheefficiencyandsecurityofinter-nationalsupplychains.

Secretariat• RestructureSecretariat:followingthediscussionandanalysison

theCustomsinthe21stcentury,ensurethatthestructure,func-tionalorganizationandallocationofresourcesthroughouttheSecretariatcorrespondadequatelytotheneedsandpriorities.

• Complementtheexistinglanguageregimebyotherlanguages,suchasArabic,SpanishandRussian,bearinginmindMembersrealneeds,budgetaryimpactandefficiency.Usetheseotherlan-guagesasofficiallanguagesatleastathigherlevelmeetings.

• Strengthen the regional representationandnationalparticipa-tioninWCO'sworkinordertoguaranteetheefficiencyoftheWCOandkeeptheorganizationclosetoitsMembers.

• Establish a "BoardofDirectors" consistingof theChairpersonof the Council andVice-Chairs to hold regularmeetings (e.g.through video-conference) to direct the implementation ofstrategicdecisionstakenbytheCouncil.

• EnsuretheWCOasanorganizationwithgoodgovernance,trans-parencyandaccountabilitywithhigh-levelethicalprinciples.


• WCOasacentreofcustomsexpertisewhereCustoms, inter-nationalbusinessandinternationalorganizationsdevelopcom-mon solutions to common challenges, share experience andbestpractices.

• WCOasthe internationallyrecognizedcustomsstandardset-tingorganization.

• Provider and coordinator of Capacity Building: providingMembers with assistance and instruments according to theirneedsinalargescale,todeveloped,developingandemergingeconomiesandcustomsadministrations.

Finland

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Japan

•Familyname:Mikuriya

•Firstname(s):Kunio

•Sex:M

•Dateofbirth:13January1954

•Placeofbirth:Ehime

•Nationality:Japanese

•Languageskills

-Mothertongue Japanese

-Otherlanguage(s)

Read Write Speak





Since 2002 – Deputy Secretary General of the WCO (re-elected in 2007 for a 2nd term)

1999-2001 – Director: International Affairs, Customs andTariffBureau,MinistryofFinance(MOF),Japan-(WCO[rati-ficationoftheRevisedKyotoConvention,ChairpersonoftheWCOFinanceCommittee],World TradeOrganization, freetradeagreements,mutualadministrativeassistance,techni-calassistancetodevelopingcountries,customs-to-customscooperation,etc.)

1997-1999 – Director: Enforcement Division, Customs andTariff Bureau, MOF, Japan - (Intelligence, investigations,inspectionofconveyances,etc.)

1996-1997 – Director: Budget Bureau, MOF, Japan -(Formulation and coordination of budgets for theMinistryofInternationalTradeandIndustry,theMinistryofForeignAffairsandOfficialDevelopmentAid)

1995-1996–Director:SalaryandAllowanceDivision,BudgetBureau,MOF, Japan - (Control of emoluments and relatedissuesforallpublicsectoremployeesinJapan)

1993-1995–Director: InternationalNegotiations,CustomsandTariffBureau,MOF,Japan-(GATTUruguayRound,draft-inglegislationtoincorporatetheresultsofthetradenegotia-tionsintoCustomslaw)

1990-1993–FirstSecretaryandCounsellor,MissionofJapanto theWTO, Geneva - (Directly responsible for the GATTUruguayRoundnegotiations)


To create a truly efficient Member-driven and Member-responsiveOrganizationthat isdynamic innatureandaction,usinganinclusivemanagementapproachbasedonflexibilityandtransparency,underpinnedbygoodgovernance,accountability,fairness,corporateintegrity,andresponsibility.


Customs administrations play a central role in improvinginvestment climate by facilitating and securing trade. A wellfunctioning Customs is necessary to deal with internationaltrade issues and to integrate developing countries into theworld trading system as this will encourage social and eco-nomicprosperityandalleviatepoverty.

However, Customs is confronted with new challenges, inclu-ding the growing trade in counterfeits and environmentallyhazardousgoods.Throughre-energizedcooperation,Customscanjointlyimproveitscompetenciesandassuretheconsistencyandoverallefficiencyoftradeprocedures.

To realizemy vision, implement cutting-edge transformation,and ensure that the WCO takes the lead in these efforts, Iwill personally follow through by implementing some keyinitiatives:

• Firstly, Iwillenhancegovernancebystrengtheningthepar-ticipationofMembers from setting the agenda to oversee-ing its execution, underscoredby theprinciple that sharinginformation, rather than withholding it, is the source ofthe Secretariat’s power. Reviewing the Secretariat’s struc-ture,making its recruitment policymore accountable, andaddressingtransparency,communicationandlanguageissuesisessentialtobetterserveMembers.

• Secondly, Iwill establishaCapacityBuildingCentre,mobi-lizingalltheSecretariat’sresourcesandregionalstructures,aswellas thenetworkofdevelopmentpartners toaddresstherealneedsofMembersandtheregions,andmostimpor-tantly to secure the necessary funding. Capacity buildingassistance must take into account revenue-related issuestoo.

• Thirdly, inorder toenhancehuman resourcedevelopment,I will launch aWCO internship programme to ensure thatMembers gain valuable work experience over a six-monthperiodattheSecretariatandwithinROCBs.

• Fourthly, I will create a Centre of Excellence in CustomsMatters, supported by research-based expertise, especiallyintheareaofemergingissues,includingregionalintegration,environmental protection and border agency cooperation.Thiswill enableCustoms to furtherdevelop its roleas theleading agency for border management and address itsexpandingresponsibilitiesinclosedialogueandcooperationwithpublicandprivatestakeholders.

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United Kingdom

•Familyname:Tweddle

•Firstname(s):Douglas

•Sex:M

• Dateofbirth:23February1948

•Placeofbirth:UnitedKingdom

•Nationality:British

•Languageskills

-Mothertongue English

-Otherlanguage(s)

Read Write Speak

French Fairlywell Notverywell Notverywell


IamcurrentlytheDirector,CustomsandInternational,withinHMRevenueandCustomsintheUK.

IhaveaverybroadexperienceofnearlyallaspectsofCustomswork beginning my career as a front line officer deployedon anti-smuggling work, later as a ‘fast stream’ manager inHeadquartersandatwoyearsecondmenttoamajorcontainershippingcompany.

IwasresponsiblefortheUK’sCustomsprocessingsystemsandwasHeadofCustomsInvestigationforover5years

ImanagedallCustomsworkatthebusiestinternationalairportintheworld.

DuringfiveyearsasWCODirectorComplianceandFacilitation,I delivered the revised Kyoto Convention and completed theglobalRILOnetwork.

IchairedtheWCO’sSupplyChainSecurityTaskForcewhichledtothedevelopmentoftheSAFEstandards.

OnmyreturntotheUKIhavemanagedover17,000compli-ancestaffandbudgetsofover£600millionpa.


• Maintaining and developing global standards for Customswork.

• Enable theWCOtobeseenas the leadagencyandprimaryinter-governmentalorganisationdealingwithbordermatters.

• Providing opportunities for Customs Administrations tolearnfromoneanotherandtosharebestpractices.

• Encouraging and facilitating the exchangeof informationbetweenCustomsAdministrationsandotherlawenforce-mentorganisations.

• SupportinganddevelopingCustomsAdministrationswithcapacitybuildingandmodernisationprogrammes.

• WorkwithotherorganisationstoensurethatthenecessarysupportandfundingforCapacityBuildingareavailable.

• AnalysewhyCustomsAdministrationshavenotadoptedWCOinstrumentsandcreateanenvironmentwheremoreofthemdo.

• Represent Customs at the global and regional levelwithotherinternationalorganisations.

• Improve the way the WCO secretariat operates withmoderngovernancearrangements,moretransparencyandmoreeffectiveresourcedeployment.


We will build on the success and progress of recent yearsin particularly with the development and promotion ofstandardstoincreasethesecurityoftheinternationalsupplychainandinsupportingCustomsAdministrationswiththeirdevelopmentinitiatives.

The voice of Customsmust be heardmore strongly at theglobal level andwithGovernments and Iwill continue thiswhilemaintainingabalancedWCObudget.

The WCO will be seen as the primary inter-governmentalorganisation dealingwith bordermatters. Customswill betheleadagencyforgovernmentattheborder.

We will study best practices with integrated bordermanagement and provide advice and support to MemberAdministrations.Wewillsupportthemoderninternationalglobal trading environment by assisting governmentagenciestodevelopsinglewindowoperations,AuthorisedEconomic Operators and a global data model for inter-nationaltrade.

Capacity buildingwill remain a key part ofWCO activitiesbutalongsidethetechnicalandoperationalstrengthsofthewider WCO organisation. Capacity building, managementand technical development will be delivered in partner-shipwith other organisations to ensure that the necessarysupportandfundingareavailable.

TheWCOwillbeacentreofexcellenceandactasacatalystinassistingMemberswiththeirdevelopmentprogrammes.

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•Family name:Zhu

•Firstname(s):Gaozhang

•Sex:M

•Date of birth:1May1955

•Nationality:Chinese

•Place of birth:Beijing

•language skills

-Mothertongue Chinese

-Otherlanguage(s)

Read Write Speak


French Well Fairlywell Fairlywell

German Well Fairlywell Fairlywell

russian Fairlywell Fairlywell Fairlywell

Professional experience Since 2000 Deputy Director General & Director General,Department of International Cooperation, GACC. Take theleadingroleintheareasincluding: PromotingChina’sadoptionandimplementationofRevisedKyotoConventionandSAFEFrameworkofStandards;

Launching theChina-EC Pilot Project on Smart and SecureTradeLanes;

Undertaking the strategic planning and management ofChinaCustoms’bilateralcooperationwithover100CustomsAdministrations;

Leading the negotiations on Customs mutual assistanceagreements;

Developing China Customs International Capacity BuildingStrategy, resulting in the provision of technical assistancefor nearly 50 countries from which almost 1000 customsofficialshavebenefited;

Pushing forward the formulation and implementation of2005-2006RegionalStrategicPlan.

1996-2000: Customs Counsellor, the Mission of China to EU inBrusselsCounsellor,responsibleforallCustomsmattersrelatedtotheWCOandtheEuropeanCommunityanditsmemberstates.

1992-1996: Deputy Director & Director, Bilateral Cooperation,DepartmentofInternationalCooperation,GACC

1982:JoinedChinaCustoms


Ifelected,Iwillaccomplishthefollowingactions:

Assisting• To further field researches and diagnosis to identify the

most desirable needs of the Members, especially those ofdevelopingandlessdevelopedcountries;

• Toprovide tailor-made solutions and tangiblebenefits andassistance to improve the developing Members’ capacitybuildingbymeansofsolicitingmorefundingandbetterallo-cationoftheresources;

Coordinating • Tomaintainanddevelopanequal,mutuallybeneficialand

inter-dependent relationship with relevant internationalorganizations;

• To strengthen the Customs-to-Customs, Customs-to-BusinessandCustoms-to-Publicinteractionandcooperationthroughdevelopingwidelyacceptedmodelsof informationexchangeandmutualrecognition;

targeting• ToensurethattheSecretariatfocusmoreonpolicyanalysis

andresearch-basedstrategies;

• To make Customs a leading national agency within itsgovernmentandtheprimaryadministrationattheborder;

Innovating• ACustomsculturewithprofessionaluniquenessandcompre-

hensiverecognition;

• AninternationalCustomsExpertReservoir;

Optimizing• The decision-making process through reasonable enlarge-

mentofmembershipofPolicyCommission in linewiththeincreasingnumberofWCOMembers;

• Themanagement of the Secretariat in amore transparent,cost-effectiveandresponsiblemanner;

Navigating• Todevelopinnovativeandproactiveapproachestopromote

the adoption and implementation of the standards, toolsandinstrumentsoftheWCOandotherrelatedinternationalorganizations;

• To improve enforcement competenceof theMembersovertrade facilitation and security, IPR border control, environ-mentprotection,anti-corruptionandothernewlyemergingCustomsoffences.


Inresponsetotheunprecedentedchallengesinthe21stcentury,theWCO,asthehubofworldCustomscommunity,willhavetochangeandshouldtransformitselfinto:

• Atechno-strategicorganizationthatmaintainshighrespon-sivenesstothechallengesandplaysaproactiveroleintradefacilitation, community protection, national security andworldpeace;

• An outward-looking organization that wins wide recogni-tionandsupportofstakeholders, inspirestheconfidenceofdonorsandattractsmaximumresourcesworldwide;and

• Amember-orientedorganizationthatprovidesservicetoallitsMembersforcommondevelopment,andfostersauniqueculturewithCustoms service respected by the society andCustomsofficersproudofandcommittedtotheirmission.

People’s republic of China

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O u r M e M b e r S w O r l d

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On 1 July 2008, the European Union (EU) will celebratethe 40th anniversary of its Customs Union. This is a veryconsiderable achievement of which we can be proud. Wehavegonevery farduringthese40years inbuildingaunifiedCustomsentity.Now,whatdoesthefuturehold?HowwilltheroleofCustomschange?CanCustomscontinue toevolve tomeetnewchallenges,aswellastheexpectationsofournearly500millioncitizens? I suggest thatwe shouldnotbepassivespectatorstotheeventsaroundus,butthatweshouldactivelyrespondtochange.

the Customs Union of the EU

The Customs Union was formed on 1 July 1968 by the then6 Members of the European Community. Since then, themembershiphasgrownsteadily,upto27MemberStates,andtheCustomsUnionhaswitnessed a constant evolution,withmajorstepsliketheadoptionoftheCommunityCustomsCodeand,in1993,thecreationofthesinglemarket.

A common feature of all Customs unions is the adoption ofa commonexternal tariff, but theEU'sCustomsUnion todayismuchmore than that. FromDublin toBucharest, the sameCustoms rules and procedures apply. Thus, the 27 Customsadministrations of the Member States implement a singleCustoms code, supported by a number of instruments andcoordination mechanisms which ensure a common approachandequivalenttreatment.Inaddition,thesinglemarketentailsthat,oncecleared; importedgoodsmaytravelfreelybetweenalltheMemberStates.ThisbenefitsEUcitizensandcompaniesand also the trading partners of the EU. At the same time,Customs administrations bear a joint responsibility for theefficientandeffectiveadministrationoftheexternalbordersoftheEuropeanUnion.

TheroleandcompetenceofourCustomsUnioninmultilateralCustoms policies has been recognised at the international

levelthroughWCOmembership.Thiswill inthe longerterm,help to improve international Customs cooperation. We aresupportingthepromotionofqualitystandardsandwebenefitfrom the experience gained by otherWCOmembers.We arealso willing to share our valuable knowledge in respect oftechnicalassistance forcapacitybuilding,whichwasacquiredthrough the enlargement processes, by contributing to theWCOColumbusProgramme.

Withapopulationofnearly500million,theEuropeanUnionisthelargesttradingblockintheworld:in2007,therewerearound175millionCustoms declarations – 5.5 every second! Behindthesestatistics,thechallengesthatfaceusaresimilartothosefacing Customs administrations throughout the world: howdowe address the dual challenge of facilitating internationaltradewhileprotectingourcitizensagainsttherisksitposestotheir security, their safetyand theirenvironment?Whilstourapproach will, inmany ways, be unique to the conditions oftheEU,Ibelieveit isalsorelevanttomanyothermembersoftheWCO.

From a position of strength

Aswe reflectonCustoms' role in thecontextofaglobalisedeconomy, it is perhaps worth reminding ourselves that, likemany of our sister Customs administrations throughout theworld, we start from a position of strength. The CustomsadministrationsoftheEUfunctionatthecentreofthedynamicinternationalsupplychainandareuniquelyequippedtoplayacentralroleinthemanagementoftheEU'sexternalborders.

Customs are also in the front line in combating smuggling,counterfeiting, organised crime and even terrorism, inimplementing a wide range of restrictions and prohibitionsand in providing essential consumer protection, thus exertingaprofound influenceon the stability andprogressof society.This explains why the EU is promoting the development

…byLászlóKovács

TheEuropeanCustomsUnion:40yearsofsuccess

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1 9W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

of international enforcement standards, andcontributes actively to global approachesfor the alignment of Customs procedures,such as the implementation of the WCOSAFE Framework of Standards to Secureand Facilitate Global Trade, as well as tothe formulation of the multilateral Anti-CounterfeitingTradeAgreement(ACTA).

Facilitation: our challenge

Together with economic operators, EUCustoms have a role to play in stimulatinginternational trade and ensuring thecompetitiveness of the economy. Thiscommitment is not based on a self-centred concern for ourownwell-being,but inabelief thatavibrantworldeconomywillbenefitallcountries.Thisplacesfacilitationattheheartofourwork:wemustminimiseCustomsinterventionintheflowof goods for legitimate trade. This is reflected in our policiesbothoutsideandwithintheEU.

At the international level, we are supporting our tradingpartners in streamlining their customs procedures whileperformingthenecessarycontrols.ThisisthecaseforouraidtodevelopingcountriesanditisalsothesubjectoftheCustomscooperationwithourneighbourslikeRussia,toeliminatetrafficcongestion at our common borders. We are also developingmutual recognitionagreementsofsecuritycontrolsandtradefacilitationprogrammeswiththeEU'smaintradingpartnerslikeSwitzerland, theUS and China. The objective is to findwaysof reducing the administrative burden on reliable and knowntraders,withthebenefitthatresourcescanbefocussedwheretheyaremostneeded.AtEUlevel,wearefollowingthesameapproachtotradefacilitationandcontrols.

Future developments in the EU

Two scenarios have been developed, which I am certainwill also be familiar to other Customs organisations in theworld:

(a) Currentandplanneddevelopmentsforthenext5years

Therearethreecloselyrelateddevelopments-

• The Security and Safety Amendment to the Community Customs Code,whichreflectstheWCOSAFEFrameworkandintroducesanumberofmeasuresleadingtofasterandbetter-targeted checks, benefiting Customs authorities,citizens and industry. In particular, the Amendmentrequires traders to provide Customs authorities with

information on goods prior to importor export into or out of the EuropeanCommunity, to provide trade facilitationto reliable traders in the frameworkof theAEO concept, and to set up common riskselectioncriteriaforcontrols.• The electronic Customs initiative aims

to establish a pan-European paperlessenvironment, thereby reducing complianceandadministrativecosts.

• TheModernised Customs Codewillsimplifylegislation and streamline Customsprocesses and procedures for the benefitofbothCustomsauthoritiesandtraders.

(b) Thelongertermfrom2013onwards

We recognise that, in order to achieve a structured, plannedimplementation,preparatoryworkforthefuture,including,possibly,newprocedures,systemsoractionswillneedtobeginbefore2013.

Withthisinmind-

• OurvisionforthefuturebuildsonCustoms'uniquecontroloverview of the international supply chain and aims toachievetherightbalancebetweenfacilitationandcontrol.

• We believe it would be possible tomove towards controlsbased on systems rather than transactions, which impliesa change in working methods. In parallel, we must alsoenhance risk management and provide for the continuedevolutionofICTsystems.

• Throughinternationalcooperationandbilateralagreements,wewillfurtherdevelopthepossibilitiesforsharinginformationwith our major trading partners, and contribute to thedevelopmentandapplicationofinternationalstandards.

Optimism and confidence for the future

Within the EU, the Customs administrations of the 27 MemberStatesareoperating ina contextof commonpurposeandmutualtrust.There isahighlevelofcooperationandcoordination.That isnot to say thatwe are complacent: like any other administration,wecanalwaysdobetterandwearecertainlylookingatcontinuousimprovement.However,Iamconfidentthatwearebuildingonabasisstrongenoughtobetterequipustofacethechallengesahead.

I hope that all around the world, Customs will continue toworktogether,everyday,tocontributetothemanagementofglobalisationandthesafetyoftheworld’scitizens. l

more informationhttp://ec.europa.eu/40Customs

László Kovács, European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union

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like all human relationships, pri-vate-public dialogue is complex. Forinstance, contact between Customsand the private sector is sometimescharacterised by mutual suspicion,even hatred [an adversarial relation-ship] or involves under-the-tabledealings that confer benefits toCustoms officials and private sectorplayers at the expense of the largerpublic interest [an immoral relation-ship].However,wealsoknowthatinspiteoftherisks,therearebenefitstobederivedfromstructureddialoguebetweencustomsandtheprivatesector.Throughsuchdialogue,itispossibletoachievelegitimacy for Customs reform, benefit from the experienceandskillsof theprivatesector insuchareasasprojectmana-gement, and collectively work towards reducing the costs ofdoingbusiness.This requiresahigh levelof transparencyandopennesstoavoidtheriskofsuchpartnershipsbeingcapturedbycorruptionnetworks.

ThefounderMembercountriesoftheEastAfricanCommunity(EAC),Kenya,TanzaniaandUgandasawtheneedtoincludeawhole chapter on “The Private Sector and theCivil Society” in the Treaty Establishing theEastAfricanCommunity(1999).Inthatchapter,thePartnerStatesagreetoprovideanenablingenvironment for the private sector and civilsocietytotakefulladvantageoftheCommunity(Article 127), to strengthen the private sector(Article128)andtostrengthenlinkagesamongbusinessorganisations,employees’andemploy-ers’organisations,andprofessionalbodies(Article129).

At the regional level, theEastAfricanBusinessCouncil (EABC)representstheinterestsoftheprivatesectorintheEACPartnerStates. In 2003, in anticipation of the formal admission ofBurundi and Rwanda into the EAC, a high level EABC delega-tionvisitedBurundiandRwandawheretheyseparatelymettheHeadsofStateofbothcountriesandsignedaMemorandumofCooperationwiththeRwandaPrivateSectorFederation.BurundiandRwandajoinedtheCommunityinJune2007.TheEABChasthereforepositioneditselfas“thevoiceoftheprivatesector in

>>ImprovingdialoguebetweenCustomsandtheprivatesector…the East African perspective

...byCreckBuyonge

EastAfrica”.Professionalassociations,suchastheAssociationofProfessionalSocieties in East Africa (APSEA) andthe East African Law Society (EALS)regularly engage with the Secretariatand the administrations of PartnerStatesonissuesofinterest.

TheNorthern Corridor Stakeholders’Forum(NCSF),whichischairedbytheCommissioner General of the KenyaRevenue Authority, twice a yearbrings together government officials

includingHeadsofCustomsandprivatesector representativebodiesfromBurundi,theDemocraticRepublicofCongo,Kenya,RwandaandUgandatodiscussissuesrelatedtoimprovingthemovement of goods along the Northern Corridor served bythePortofMombasa.TheForummeetsundertheauspicesoftheTransitTransportCoordinationAuthorityof theNorthernCorridor.

Some of the issues that have been dealt with at the forumincludeeliminationofillegalfeesbygovernmentdepartments,reviewofdocumentationandclearanceproceduresatthePort

ofMombasaandthe landborders,harmonisa-tion of working hours between governmentdepartments,andtheuseof informationtech-nologyinthegoodsclearanceprocess.Itispart-lyduetotheworkoftheNCSFthattheWorldBank is financing a Single Electronic WindowprojectatMombasawithKenyaPortsAuthorityand the Kenya Revenue Authority as anchorstakeholders,anda jointborderposthasbeen

establishedatMalabaontheKenya-Ugandaborder.

In Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, the relationshipbetweenCustomsandtheprivatesectorhasdevelopedbeyondconsultationand isnowseenmoreas apartnership. In thesecountries, the Customs administrations regularly schedulemeetings with representative private sector organisations,andgenerallyseektheirbuy-inintheprocessofimplementingreform projects. In Burundi however,morework needs to bedone to improve the dialogue. Unlike in the other countries,CustomsinBurundiisstillunderthecentralgovernment,and

Creck Buyonge is the Regional Manager for Africa at the Centre for Customs & Excise Studies, University of Canberra, and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

"Therearebenefitstobederivedfromstructureddialogue

betweencustomsandtheprivatesector."


2 1W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

representative private sector organiza-tionsarelessefficient.

Structured dialogue between Customsand the private sector at the natio-nal and regional level is one of thekey requirements for implementingthe WCO Framework of Standards toSecure and Facilitate Global Trade. TheBusiness Action for Improving CustomsAdministration in Africa (BAFICAA) ini-tiative has begun mobilising the private sector towards thisend.Agenuinepartnershiprequiresthattheprivatesectorbeorganised,andthatthepartnersareawareoftheirobligationsandthelimitstowhattheycanachieve.

Whilemuchhasbeenachievedinthecurrentcircumstances,thetimehascomeforCustomsandtheprivatesectortoestablish

Port of Mombasa

formal structures for consultation onCustoms issues, perhaps in the style oftheNCSF.Afterall,Kenyaregularlycon-ductsresearchonservicedelivery,Ugandahas published Client Service Standards,and Tanzania’s Customs ModernisationPlanplacesalotofemphasisonenhanc-ing relationships with stakeholders. Ifthe private sector takes the initiative toorganisethemselvesforconsultationwithCustomsatthenationallevel,implemen-

tation of the Authorised EconomicOperator scheme ismorelikelytobedoneatlesscostintermsoflosttimeandmistakesthatcanbeavoided. l

more [email protected]

theAustralianCustomsServiceisundertakingajointresearchprojectwiththeWorldCustomsOrganization(WCO)andtheOceania Customs Organisation (OCO) to develop a globalpicture of transnational crime from a Customs perspective.The project is aimed at enabling Customs administrationsto develop strategies designed to individually or collectivelycombatinternationalcrimegroups.TheresearchshouldbenefitCustomstargetingactivitiesandhelpto informconsiderationgiventoissuessuchasresources,policyandlegislation.

Today, more than ever before, crime has no boundaries andCustoms' role in border protection is becoming more chal-lengingandcomplex.Customsneedstobeattheforefrontofinnovativeapproachesincombatingtransnationalcrime,lead-ingthewayindevelopinginternationalpartnershipstoensurecargosecurityandcompliance.

Organisedcrimeandcriminalnetworksarewidely recognisedassignificantthreatstoglobalsecurityandeconomicstability.Globalisation,alongwiththeexpansionofinformationtechno-logyandtheincreasedsophisticationofcriminalnetworkshasmadetargetingoftransnationalcrimeissuesincreasinglymoredifficultforMembersofboththeWCOandtheOCO.

Researchiscurrentlybeingconductedviaaninternationalsur-vey,whichwassenttoallWCOandOCOCustomsDirectorsGeneralinMay2008.Thesurvey(availableonlinein5languages:Arabic,English,French,Russian,andSpanish)isalsoaccessiblefromtheWCO,OCOandAustralianCustomswebsitesuntil10July2008.Toaccesstheonlinesurvey,participantswillrequiretheirunique identificationnumberwhichwasprovided in thelettersenttoDirectorsGeneral.

This project will benefit global Customs administrations byprovidingastrategicoverviewonCustomsrelatedtransnationalcrime, by identifying patterns, trends and modus operandi oftransnationalcrime,byattemptingtotackletheissuesoftrans-nationalcrimefromaunitedCustomsfront,andbydevelopinginternationalstrategiestocombattransnationalcrime. l

more informationMrs. Claudine luptonSenior AnalystAustralian Customs Service [email protected] www.ocosec.org

>>TransnationalcrimeandtheglobalimplicationsforCustomsadministrations

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>>InternationalCustomsDaycelebrationsaroundtheworld

Indonesian Minister of Finance congratulates Customs Officers awarded WCO Certificates of merit

Thai Customs exhibition on drug trafficking

The celebrations in Indonesia included sport and charity events, and blood donation programmes

Thai Customs Deputy Director General addressing officers

South African Revenue Service anti-smuggling teams holding their Certificates of Merit in recognition of their success in detecting illegal substances

In Ghana, Customs officers on a float passing through the principal streets

in Accra bearing placards, banners and distributing flyers Ghanaian officers awarded WCO Certificates of merits


2 3W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

New Zealand Customs officers demonstrating x-ray machines

Dutch Customs officers displaying their medals of honour awarded during the

ICD 2008 celebrations

New Zealand students get acquainted with a Customs officer and his drug detector dog

Open day on the Hawk IV - a New Zealand Customs patrol vessel

Exhibition of prohibited drugs in Slovenia

Slovenian customs officers displaying their WCO

Certificates of Merit

2 4 W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

C l O S e u p

Mission

The Ecuadorian Customs Corporation is an inde-pendent institution that was created 10 years agowiththemissiontoadministerCustomsservices inafastandtransparentmanner.EcuadorCustomsisoriented towards the efficient collection of taxes,and to facilitate and control Customs activities inthe current foreign trade market on the basis ofintegrated and automatedprocesses. It encouragesa culture of competitiveness and uprightness that guaranteesservice excellence tobothexternal and internalusers,which inturncontributesactivelytothedevelopmentofEcuador.

Goals

To comply with its mission, the Customs administration ofEcuadorhasbeenworkingtowardsthefollowingimportantgoals,amongothers:

• ReformstotheGeneralRegulationsoftheConstitutionalLawofCustoms

One of the main changes was the elimination of the OriginCertificateofInspection.ThischangegeneratedsavingsofUSD70millionperyearfortheimportsector.Otherimprovementsincluded:theexclusionofCentralBankapprovalforeverytrans-action;strengtheningriskmanagementbyeliminatingunneces-sary controls determined by law; and, for the first time, thecreation of a regulation that controls the activity of Customsagents with the purpose of holding them responsible for theprocedures that they carry out under the name of importersand/orexporters.

• ImplementationofanX-raysystemThesystemisdesignedtoreducethenumberofphysicalinspec-tionsandthetimetakentocentralizemerchandise.Inaddition,itconstitutesatooltodeterminetypesofevasion.

• Controlofmarkets,airports,andhighwaysTheDepartmentofPost-Controlwascreatedwiththepurposeofcontrollingwhetherproductsthathavealreadyenteredthecountry fulfill all the required endorsement documents. Inthe sameway, thework of the CustomsGuard Services hasbeen fortified to control contraband being transported onhighways, which has resulted in a great number of seizures.Controlshavealsobeenincreasedatairportsandwithrespecttocouriers,and for thisanewregulationwasdevelopedandapproved.This regulationwill controlandsetanormfor theadmission of products into the country thus closing a loop-hole utilized in the past to evade taxes. These new controlshaveresultedintheapprehensionofalltypesofmerchandise,narcoticsandguns.

• TrainingPermanent training is one of the fundamental cornerstones oftheEcuadorCustomsadministrationandinthisregard,Customsconstantly concludes agreements with important institutionssuch as theWCO aimed at strengthening the administration’strainingcapacity.

• IntellectualpropertyrightsVital importance has been given to the intellectualproperty rights issue. In this regard, the law isnowapplied in a firmand strongwaywhich guaranteesfaircompetenceinthemarket.

• CreationofaCustomslaboratoryWiththepurposeoffightingthecontrabandtradeinsubstancesthatharmtheenvironmentandhuman

beings, the firstCustomscentral laboratory in thecountrywasinaugurated. This laboratory has some of the most advancedtechnology, includinga sectiondealingwith the “chromatogra-phyofgases”.

Main aim

TheEcuadorianCustomsCorporationisworkingtowardsbecom-ingoneofthebestCustomsadministrationsintheworldanditsachievementsthusfarshowthatitisontherighttrack.

Contact

Director General Mr.SantiagoLeónAbad Appointedon9February2007total staff 1400Official address AduanadeEcuador Km41/2Av.25deJulio VíaPuertoMarítimo Guayaquil/Ecuador

Date of establishment 13 July 1998 as an independent institution

General contact point Ms.GabrielaUquillas Advisor Tel:+59342500100 Fax:+59342484251 [email protected] www.aduana.gov.ec

Member of the following international/regional organizations

COMALEP•WTO•INTERPOL•IDB

International Conventions signed by Ecuador relating to Customs matters

MemberofWCO:16December1997Conventiononscientificequipment:23September1969

General information

Official name EcuadorCapital QuitoOfficial language SpanishArea 256.370sqkmPopulation 13.700.000Currency UnitedStatesDollarNational Day 10AugustISO code EC

more informationwww.aduana.gov.ec

CustomsadministrationofEcuador

I n C O n v e r S a T I O n

2 5W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialised agencyof the United Nations, is responsible for facilitating com-munication between peoples, based on the principles of free circulation and the right of all citizens and businesses to communicate via postal services. the UPU, established in 1874, implements policies aimed at modernizing and developing the postal sector world-wide, for the benefit of its 191 Member countries.

Its roadmap for the future is based on a strategy combin-ing interconnection, development and good governance. thus, the UPU shares many elements and values with the WCO, and is facing the same challenges in its role as a facilitator of global trade.

Mr. Edouard Dayan, Director General of the Universal Postal Union’s International bureau, has kindly offered WCO News his thoughts about the common challenges facing the UPU and the WCO.

WCO News: Co-operation between the WCO and the UPU has taken shape over the years, driven by issues of common interest. What are the major factors which have brought the two Organizations together?

Edouard Dayan:TheUPUwasestablished in1874tomeeta need which is perhaps evenmore relevant today than itwas then: interconnection. Itscreationgave rise toa singlepostalterritorywithinwhichtheuniversalpostalserviceandfreedom of transit are assured. Therefore it was perfectlynaturalfortheUPUtoturntotheWCOassoonasitwassetupin1947.Thisisanaturalpartnership:closelinksbetweenthepostalservicesandCustoms,andthereforebetweentheWCO and the UPU, go back a long way. The relationship

predates the 1973KyotoConvention (subsequently revisedin1999),whichrecognizesthespecificnatureoftheuniver-salpostalservice.RelationsbetweentheWCOandtheUPUhavedevelopedovermorethanhalfacentury,onafounda-tionbuiltonmutualtrustandsharedinterests.

AWCO/UPU Contact Committee has been active formanyyears,andIwouldliketotakethisopportunitytopaytributetoMichelDanet,underwhoseleadershiptheWCOhasconti-nuedandextendeditsco-operationwiththeUPU.Onesigni-ficantillustrationofthissharedcommitmentwasthesigning,in 2007, of a partnership agreement between us, coveringpractical projects of interest to both our Organizations.Globalization has meant that our two Organizations play akey role in “physical” trade,which isgrowingapace.Weseethis, in particular,with the dramatic growthof e-commerceworldwide.Inthisconnection,duringFebruary2008theUPUCouncil of Administration adopted a proposal to adjust ourMissionto reflect thisdimensionof facilitating internationaltrade.TheproposalwillbediscussedbyourCongresswhenitmeetsthissummerinGeneva.

W. N.: the global environment is evolving all the time and international structures must adapt to change, or better still remain a step ahead, if they wish to flourish. What is the UPU’s strategy for establishing the postal sector of the future?

E. D.: For a number of years the postal sector has had todeal with many changes, all of which present challengesfor theUPU. There is the tendency for electronicmedia toreplace hard copy, as well as changes in communicationhabits.Therehavealsobeenchangeswherethemarketsareconcerned. National monopolies are disappearing in manycountries,leadingtogreaterinternationalizationofmarkets,operatorsandevencustomers.TheUPUpursuesapolicyofopenness towards the international environment and now,in itsactivities, it istakingaccountofalltheplayers inthissector.

Ourfuturestrategyisbuiltonthreepillars:interconnection;development; and governance. This strategy addresses thethree dimensions of the global postal sector: the physicaldimension (i.e. the supply chainand thephysicalnetwork);thefinancialdimensionformoneytransfers;andfinally,theelectronicdimension.Inmyview,thepostalsector’sabilitytomakeitsmarkinthefuturewilldependonthesuccessful

CustomsandPost:a long history of shared endeavour!

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fusionof these threedimen-sions. Armed with an ambi-tious strategy, as well as aneffective inter-governmentaland sectoral organization,the global postal sector isperfectlyplaced tomeet theneeds of its Members, ofeconomic operators, and ofpopulations. And the post-al supply chain, with morethan650,000contactpointsworld-wide, is based on anextensive distribution net-work. The postal networkis unique in this respect. Itofferslocalaccesstoaglobalnetworkeveninthemostfar-flungpartsoftheplanet,andthereforehasanimportantroletoplayinthedevelopmentoftrade,particularlywheresmallandmedium-sizedenterprisesareconcerned.

W. N.: the WCO and the UPU operate on the basis of simi-lar concepts, namely the multilateral approach, increased co-operation - especially with the private sector and with other international organizations - and, finally, develop-ment through embracing new technologies. Can you iden-tify any best practices that could be of benefit to our two Organizations?

E. D.:InternationalorganizationsliketheWCO,theUPUandothersaresometimesaccusedofbeingblockedbytheinflu-enceofgovernments,heldbackbydecision-makingmecha-nismsandbythefactthatthewidespectrumofinterestswerepresentmustbeallowedtohavetheirsay–inotherwords,we stand accused of operating under democratic gover-nance principles. What some disgruntled souls perceive asbeingweaknesses, Iseeasassetsandstrengths.Ourstatusasan inter-governmentalorganizationallowsustooperateinaframeworkofstrictneutrality,andweknowhowmuchimportanceisattachedtotheconfidentialityofdataandtheneutrality of technological choice. Ourmultilateral natureenablesustoofferglobalresponsestoglobal issues,tothemajorchallengesofthemodernworldwhichareunconfinedbyborders.Weneedorganizationsof thiskindtoestablishstandardswhichapply rightacrossagivensector,address-ing issues of general interest and serving the purposes ofinterconnection. If we were not inter-governmental andmultilateral, would we be able to ensure that every voicewas heard – public sector, private sector, developing andindustrialised countries – so that we can help economiesmoveforwardforthebenefitofall?

The regionalization of tradeandeconomiesisalsohavingan impact on how we oper-ate. The WCO has estab-lished a regional set-up,and the UPU has drawn upregional development planswhich give structure to ouractivities in the field, tak-ing account of the specificfeaturesofeach region.Oneexampleofthiswouldbetheregional projects to set uproad transport networks inWest Africa and SouthernAfrica. In amove to address

the infrastructure problems of developing countries, wehave set up the Quality of Service Fund (QSF). All UPUMembercountries,exceptfortheleastdevelopedcountries,contributetothisFundthroughanincreaseinthecompen-sation payments made between countries. In 2007, thisenabledustofund75projectsinmorethan50countries,foratotalof15.8millionUSdollars.

Iwouldalsoliketomentionanexamplewhichhasitscoun-terpart in the WCO: interaction with the private sector.Like theWCO, in 2005 theUPU introduced aConsultativeCommitteebringingtogetherpostalstakeholdersotherthangovernments and universal postal service operators. Thisis a necessary development for organizations such as ours,which are designed to be inclusive and representative. Theadvantagesofopeningupinthiswayareobvious,althoughthegroundrulesfordoingsomustbeclearlysetout.Inthisconnection,fortheUPU,manyissuesrelatingtogovernance,fundingandrepresentationstillneedtobefullyexplored.

©U

PU

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2 7W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

WCO News: What are the challenges facing your sector where Customs is concerned?

Facilitation, security and technology are key elements foreffectivecooperationbetweenthepostalandCustomssec-tors.As Imentionedearlier, theUPU’smission is toensureaqualitypostal “supply chain”worldwide, giving access toeveryone everywhere, including both private and businesscustomers.Thevalueofthischainisbeingincreasedbyglo-balizationandemergingeCommerceactivities.TheCustomsprocessisoneofthemostimportantlinksinthepostalchaintofacilitatethespeedyandsecureclearanceofpostalitemsof which more than 5 billion cross international bordersevery year. Furthermore, only througheffectivepostal andCustoms processes canwe ensure that the supply chain isnotbeingabusedforcriminalordangerousactivities.

NewtechnologyisparamountinensuringthequalityofthesupplychainandcompatibilitybetweenpostalandCustomsprocesses.State-of-the-arttechnologyisalsoparamountinstrengtheningthephysicalpostalnetworkandfromthesideoftheUPU;wearemakinggoodprogressandhaveincludeditinourstrategicactions.TheUPU’sPostalTechnologyCentrehas developed a numberof software solutions to facilitatethe smoothmanagement of themail stream from postingto final delivery. The solution known as the InternationalPostal System (IPS and IPS Light) allows postal operatorstotrackandtracepostalitemsthroughoutthemailstream.TheUPU’selectroniccommunicationnetworkPost*Netfur-therensurestheinter-exchangeofelectronicdatacaptured

by the system solutions. Currently, more than 150 postaloperators are interconnected through the systems and theelectronicnetwork.

However, interconnection between postal operators is notenough to achieve perfection. Customs also need to beconnected,equal toothernaturalpartners in the transpor-tation chain suchas airlines. To achieve this goal,wehaveto progress in the following three areas: the developmentof exchangeable data standards; the development of datacapture solutions; and ensuring the inter-exchangeabilityofdatabetweenCustomsandpostaloperators.Infact,theUPUandWCOarealreadyintheprocessofdevelopingcom-mon data standards and, on the side of theUPU,we havealreadydeterminedthedevelopmentofanewfunctionalityin our IPS solutions. Iwould like to see thatwe accelerateour cooperation in order to achieve the interconnectionofpostalandCustomssolutionsassoonaspossible.

Security is another area where we should work togetherand specifically the enhancement of security measures inorder to prevent thedistributionof counterfeit, illegal anddangerous goods through the use of the postal network.Joint efforts on capacity enhancement such as the sharingof e-publications and the organization of training sessionsshouldalsobeonourcommonagenda.

IbelieveweareontherighttrackandtogetherwecanmeetthechallengeswithinourrespectivemandatesgiventousbyourMembers. l

Edouard DAyAN, Director General of the UPU International bureau

Before taking over as Director General of the UPU International Bureau inJanuary 2005, Edouard Dayan held various positions at the French PostalService.AsHeadof theAirTransportBureau from1984to1986,hemanagedthe Service’s “InternationalMailManagement and International Accounting”,and “International Partnership Strategy” Departments. From 1993 to 1997,he served as Deputy Director of European and International Affairs and wasappointed Director of the Department in April 1998. As an expert at theEuropean Commission (1992 to 1993) and Chairman of the European SocialDialogueCommittee for thePostalSector (1994to2004),hewas involved intheestablishmentoftheregulatoryframeworkforthepostalsectorinEurope,andinparticularthedefinitionoftheuniversalpostalserviceanditscontent.


2 9W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

Moneylaunderingandterroristfinancing,there is still a lot to be done!

As part of the “Inventing Our Future” Forum on “the WCO in the 21st Century”, the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC),represented by Mr. Hassan baage from the Counter-terrorism Committee Executive Directorate(CTED),wasaskedtospeakonthetopic “Security : A challenge for the WCO?”.

WCO News took this opportunity to interview Mr. baage about CtC proposals to increase co-operation between the WCO and the CtC. this co-operation manifests itself, throughout the year, in the WCO’s participation in the CtC’s missions to evaluate countries’ progress with the implementation of resolution 1373 in respect of controls on the cross-border movement of persons and their property, and of goods.

WCO News: your proposals on how the WCO could support anti-terrorism efforts relate, in particular, to money laundering, especially the illegal cross-border movement of monetary instruments referred to in resolution 1373, and the detection of illicit international trade transactions which could be used to finance terrorist activities. Why?

Hassan baage:The twokey issuesaddressed in thisquestionrelate to the illegal cross-border movement of funds thatare either derived from, or are intended to support terroristactivity.

At theoutset, Iwould like tonotethat theprovisionsof twoUnitedNations instruments form the basis for the proposalsmade by CTED at theWCO Forum. First, paragraph 2 (g) ofSecurityCouncilresolution1373(2001)requiresUnitedNationsMemberStatesistopreventthemovementofterroristsorter-roristgroups,througheffectivebordercontrols.Theintentionof this paragraphof the resolution is to control not only thecross-bordermovementofpersons,butalsotheirproperty-inparticular cash, other monetary instruments and goods thateitherderivefromsupportforterroristacts,oraresusceptible

to diversion for that purpose. Second, the UnitedNations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy,whichwasadoptedbyall 192MemberStates inSeptember2006 intheformofaresolutionandannexed Plan of Action, stresses the need forMember States to step up their efforts to pre-ventanddetect themovementof terroristsandprevent and detect illicit trafficking in a varietyofgoods.

Withrespecttothephysicalcross-bordertransportation of currency and bearernegotiable instruments, the objective isto ensure that appropriate and effectivecontrolsareinplacetodenyterroristsandother criminals (e.g. money-launderers)the possibility of physically moving orcarrying their funds across internationalborders to support their murderous orfelonious activities. ”Cash couriers” areknown to play a key role in money-launderingoperations, but there is also

increasingevidence that theyplaya significant role in interna-tionalterroristfinancing.

Similarly,thefinanciersofterrorismmovemoneythroughtheinternational trade process. This practice, known as trade-based money laundering (TBML), allows terrorist financiersand money-launderers to move money across internationalbordersat reducedriskofdetection,because itenablesthemtocircumventtheheavilyregulatedformalfinancialsector.Themaingoalofourproposal inthisarea is thereforetorespondtotheneedforMemberStatestotakethenecessarystepstodetect and prevent the cross-bordermovement ofmoney inordertodepriveterroristsandmoney-launderersoftheirfundsanddisrupttheiroperations.

W. N.: What can the WCO contribute in this area?

H. b.: Webelievethat,withrespectbothtocashcouriersandtoTBML,WCOcanplayanimportantrolebyworkingwithitsMemberCustoms administrations todevelop and implementasystematiccapacitytodetectandpreventthe illegalmove-mentofcashandothermonetaryinstruments.

In the near future all customs procedures will be dealt with electronically. The intention of the European Commission is very clear: implement electronically streamlined processes between Customs Authorities in order to become less susceptible to fraud.

But there is a clear difference between dream and reality. Although based on the same EU legislation, Member States use different data requirements, messaging formats, communication protocols and different certification processes. In short, too many worries for companies dealing with international trade.

Porthus.net Customs is your solution for electronic customs in Europe. It enables you to manage your customs declaration and clearance processes in an efficient, electronic way such as Import Declaration, Export Declaration, Transit (NCTS) and the more complex processes such as Customs/Bonded Warehouse,… It combines an easy-to-use interface with a powerful messaging technology allowing access anywhere and anytime. In short, flexibility, efficiency and intelligence tailored to the needs of large and small companies.

The European idea according to Porthus, specialist in OnDemand IT solutions.

PorthusCorporate Headquarters Duwijckstraat 17BE-2500 LierT. +32 (0)3 800 0600F. +32 (0)3 800 [email protected]

Porthus.net Customs


3 1W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

In the area of cash couriers, the relevant counter-terroristfinancing and anti-money-laundering laws require that adeclaration or disclosure regime be put in place to regulatethe cross-border movement or transfer of sums of moneyexceedingpre-determinedthresholds.Theyalsorequirethatacompetentbody-normallyCustoms-bevestedwiththelegalauthoritytoadministersuchasystem.Inthecourseofmoni-toringtheimplementationofresolution1373(2001)onbehalfof the Counter-Terrorism Committee, CTED has generallyfound(wherethephysicalmovementofcashisconcerned)thatwhereCustomsadministrationshaveput intoplacea systemfortheadministrationofadeclarationordisclosureregimeincompliance with the relevant laws, they have not taken therequiredcontrolmeasures,suchastheintroductionoftargetingmethodologies,thedevelopmentanduseofriskindicators,ortheexchangeof information, itsanalysis,and itsuseas intel-ligence to detect cash couriers and smugglers. We believethatWCOcanmakeasignificantcontributiontothedevelop-ment and continuous updating of practical control/detectionmethods, including through interactionand cooperativeworkwith specialized units such as the financial intelligence units(generallyfoundwithinFinanceMinistries)andbyassistingitsMembers with their implementation efforts through trainingandcapacitybuilding.

InthecaseofTBML,WCOcanlendsupportbyworkingwithitsMemberCustomsadministrationstoidentifyandcataloguethevariousschemesandfraudulentcommercialtransactionsusedbyterroristfinanciersandmoney-laundererstomovemoneyoritsvaluefromonecountrytoanother,aswellasbydevelopingtheriskindicatorsrequiredfortheirdetectionandtrainingMemberCustoms administrations in their application. TBML metho-dologies are largely the same as Customs commercial fraudschemes,andincludefalselydescribedgoods,multipleinvoicingofgoodsand services,overandunder shipmentofgoods, andoverandunder invoicingofgoodsandservices.WCOcanhelpits Members develop and use methodologies for monitoringandanalysingtradedata inordertodetectanomalies intradetransactionsthatmaybeassociatedwithterroristfinancingandmoney-launderingandthus require investigation.TheFinancialActionTaskForce(FATF)canbeavaluablepartnerinboththeseareas,asithasacquiredsignificantrelevantexpertise.

W. N.: Customs administrations have major technical assist-ance needs where the fight against money laundering is con-cerned. In June 2005 the WCO adopted a recommendation on the need to develop and strengthen the role of Customs administrations in tackling money laundering and in reco-vering the proceeds of crime. this instrument was com-plemented, in February 2008, by Customs Enforcement Guidelines on Countering Money laundering and terrorist Financing, incorporating best practices being employed by

Customs administrations and some model cases of Customs enforcement practices. I am sure you are aware of the dif-ficulties facing the WCO in terms of human and financial capacity, so how can the CtC, through the CtED, help the WCO in this area which is of such critical importance to the fight against terrorist financing?

H. b.:OneofCTED’smostimportantfunctionsistoidentify,aspartofitsmonitoringfunction,thevulnerabilitiesencounteredbyStatesinimplementingresolution1373(2001),thetechnicalassistancetheyrequireinordertoaddressthosevulnerabilities,andhowandbywhomsuchassistancemaybeprovided.TheCTCandCTEDarenotassistanceproviders; rather, theyplayafacilitatingrolebyidentifyingneedsandmatchingthemwiththe assistance available. CTED, through its matrix of donorsand assistance providers,might, therefore, be able to locateaproviderwillingtofundcertaincapacitybuildingactivitiesinthetwoareasdiscussedabove. l


Mr. Hassan Baage currently serves as a Senior Legal Officerwith the Counter-TerrorismCommittee ExecutiveDirectorate(CTED) of the United Nations Security Council. His principalarea of responsibility is border control, including immigrationandcustomscontrols,andaviationandmaritimesecurity.CTEDwasestablishedtoassisttheCounter-TerrorismCommitteetomonitorimplementationbyMemberStatesofSecurityCouncilresolution1373 (2001),whichcallsonStates to implementanumber of measures to enhance their legal and institutionalcapacitytocombatterrorism.

PriortojoiningtheUnitedNations,Mr.Baageservedfrom1998to 2005 as Senior TechnicalOfficerwith theWorldCustomsOrganization,wherehisworkincludedhelpingtodeveloptheSAFEFrameworkofStandards,developingbilateralandmulti-lateral agreements to facilitatemutual administrative assist-ance in customs matters, and working with WCO Membersto achieve harmonization and increased effectiveness in theircomplianceprogrammes.

BeforejoiningWCO,Mr.BaageheldavarietyofpostswiththeCanada Border Services Agency in Ottawa, working in areassuchasprogrammeevaluation,managementandcoordinationof national anti-smuggling programmes, and policy develop-mentforcompliance.

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Money laundering hasa considerable adverseimpact on the socialstability and economicdevelopmentofanation.It is not a stand-alonecrime, but is intertwinedwithothercrimes,whichare called “predicateoffences”. These offenc-es include transnationalorganizedcrimes suchasthe smuggling of drugs,arms, stolen vehiclesand artworks, the tradeincounterfeitgoods,andsoon.Thiscriminaltradegeneratesasignificantamountof illegalproceedsthatneedtobelaundered,hencetheneedtofindmoreavenuesinwhichtodoso.

UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1373, which wasadopted soon after the September 11 terrorist attacks in theUnited States, points out the close connection between inter-national terrorism and transnational organised crime. Terroristfinancing has a direct impact on and relevance to thework ofCustoms especially the WCO’s ongoing efforts to secure theinternational trade supply chain. Given current global securityconcernsandthepossibilitythatthis“dirtymoney”couldfinanceterroristactivity,moneylaunderingisnowdrawingmorepoliticalattentionthanbeforeandremainsfirmlyunderthespotlight.

the WCO’s responseMoneylaunderinghasbeenincludedinWCOworkprogrammessincetheearly1990s.Inordertorespondtomountingconcernsfrom its Members, the WCO adopted the “Recommendationon the need to develop and strengthen the role of Customsadministrations in tackling money laundering and recoveringtheproceedsofcrime”inJune2001.ThisRecommendationwasrevisedon25 June2005 to include thepreventionof terroristfinancing.

How it’s done and the links to commercial fraudWhilemoney laundering is closely linkedwith drug smugglingandotherorganisedcrime,italsoofteninvolvesCustomsfraudoperations,particularlytheunder-andover-valuationofgoodsand invoice manipulation. Criminal groups use the interna-tionaltradingsystemtotransfertheir illegalproceedstoothercountries – this is knownas trade-basedmoney laundering. In

this scheme, dirtymoney istransferred across the bor-der by distorting the valueof traded goods. For exam-ple,byimportingover-valuedgoods and paying for themby remitting more moneythan theactualvalueof thegoods, a money laundereracting as an importer couldtransferthemoneytoapart-nerinanexportingcountry.

Customs does have uniqueexperience, knowledge,resources and legislativeauthority to detect, investi-

gateandsuppresstheseformsoftradefraud.ThemandateoftheWCOCommercial FraudWorkingGroup includes studying thenatureandextentofcommercialfraudandanalysingitslinkageswithmoney laundering.As a resultof the studiesundertaken,thecurrentWCOdefinitionof“commercialfraud”wasrevisedtoincludetrade-basedmoneylaunderingandthisproposalwillbepresentedtotheWCOCouncilinJune2008forapproval.

Activities on the groundRecently,theWCOSecretariatcompiledareportontheoutcomesoftheglobalsurveyontheimplementationofbestpracticesincountering money laundering and terrorist financing, whichwasconductedduring the summerof2007.This survey led totheWCOproducing“CustomsEnforcementGuidelinesagainstMoney Laundering and Terrorist Financing” after evaluatingcontributionsfromitsMembers.TheGuidelinescontainaseriesof law enforcement tactics currently being exercised byWCOMember Customs administrations. Both the report and theGuidelineswereadoptedbytheWCOEnforcementCommitteeinFebruary2008.

Additionally,asetofcollectiveinitiativestobepursuedbyboththeWCOSecretariatandWCOMemberswasacceptedbytheEnforcementCommitteewithaviewtofurtherimprovingknow-ledgeaboutmoneylaunderingandterroristfinancingschemes,andfullymobilisingexistingCustomscompetencetocounterthechallenge.Theseinitiativesinclude,amongothers:

• Collection of national reports on money laundering andterroristfinancing.

• Collection of the x-ray images showing the concealment ofcash.

Moneylaundering,WCO initiatives

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• Collection of training material on enforce-ment measures against money launderingandterroristfinancing.

• Updating a list of risk indicators to detectcashcouriersattheborder.

TheWarsaw-basedRegionalIntelligenceLiaisonOffice (RILO) for Eastern and Central Europeinitiated“ProjectSEZAM”andproducedaglobalanalytical reportoncurrency smuggling,basedon seizure data accumulated in the WCO’sCentralEnforcementNetwork(CEN).Thisana-lyticalprojectwasmeanttodrawtheattentionof WCO Members to the on-going currencysmuggling schemeand its link tomoney laun-dering and terrorist financing and to provideWCO Members with strategic intelligence onkey transshipping and courier routes as a means to identifyintelligenceandriskindicatorsthatmayassistCustomscontrolsagainstcurrencysmugglingattheborder.TheProjectisexpectedtocontinue,withareportbeingproducedannually.Acopyofthereport(Englishonly)isavailableontheCENwebpage.

Collaboration at the international levelTheWCOmaintainsaclosecooperativerelationshipwithotherspecialised intergovernmental organisations with a view to

supplementing each other’s expertise. Anexampleofthis isthedecisionbytheWCOto join the Financial Action Task Force’s(FATF)typologystudyontrade-basedmoneylaundering, which is aimed at studying theextent of the use of trade-based systems(suchastheover/under-invoicingofimportsand exports), as an alternative method oftransferring money internationally.Visithttp://www.fatf-gafi.orgformoredetails.

In addition, the WCO co-hosted theInternational Conference on Illicit CashCouriers with INTERPOL from 13-14 May2008 at INTERPOL’s General Secretariatin Lyon (France). The Conference providedparticipants with an opportunity to further

strengthen existing cooperation between law enforcementauthorities towards collective efforts and actions against thegrowingthreatofillicitcashcouriersinaccordancewithinterna-tionallyagreedbestpractices.OutcomesofthisConferencewillbereportedtotheEnforcementCommitteeinFebruary2009.l


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W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

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3 5W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

Columbus,thevoyagefromrecognitiontorealizationthe Columbus Programme, Aidfor SAFETrade is the largest andmost comprehensive Customscapacity building initiative onrecord. Its aim is to implementtheSAFEFrameworkofStandardsto Secure and Facilitate GlobalTrade (SAFE Framework), theRevisedKyotoConvention (RKC),and to prepare WCO Membersfor the possible outcome of theWTOnegotiationsontradefacili-tation. 152 WCO Members havecommitted to implementing theSAFE Framework. Out of the 110 Members that havesought assistance from the WCO under the ColumbusProgramme, 105 have already received a diagnosticmis-sion under Phase 1, or have a confirmed plan to do so.Almost70MembersarenowinPhase2(Implementation).110 national missions and 14 regional missions havealready been completed and a Phase 2 Action PlanningFacilitators Workshop has taken place. Columbus work-ing languages include English, French, Russian, Spanish,Portuguese,ArabicandChinese.

Thefollowingpagescontainsam-plesofearlyresultsofColumbusimplementation. Significantly,the activities have been largelygenerated and undertaken byCustoms administrations them-selves,with support, on request,fromtheWCOSecretariat,assist-ance providers and donors. Ineffect,theWCOrolehasbeentoact as a catalyst in creating thecircumstances that enable andsupport Customs modernizationandthepracticalimplementationof international standards.Thereare common threads but also

diversity. Notably, the activities are strategic in natureandreflecttherealneedsofindividualadministrations.

Phase2will bemoredemanding thanPhase 1. The chal-lengesarediverseandvary inscopebetweenoneadmin-istration and another. Equally, Members have differentroles and capabilities in introducing change. The key isto marshal all the forces to act together and in unison.TheWCOColumbusProgrammehasalreadyhadastrongimpactonMembersandtheWCOiscommittedtobuild-ingonthissuccess.

“For me the regional development perspective creates structured synergies that will increase the results for the economies of the region in relation to enhanced EAC trade but also to external and main trade partners. By sequencing a regional EAC Programme based on national developments, the region can grow stronger and introduce initiatives such as regional mutual recognition of AEO”.

AllenKagina ChairpersonoftheEACProgrammeSteeringGroup CommissionerGeneraloftheUgandaRevenueAuthority

TheEastAfricanCommunity (EAC)hasdevelopeda regionalplan for implementing thecommonrecommendations fromtheColumbusProgrammeDiagnosticMissionReports.AStrategicPlanhasbeenagreedandamodernizationprogrammesetup,comprising3majorprojectsandtwosupportprojects.ThespecificobjectiveistoassisttheCustomsadministrationsintheEACregion(Burundi,Kenya,Rwanda,Tanzania,Uganda)todesignandimplementacomprehensiveregionalreformprogrammewithafocuson:

• EnhancedtrademanagementincludingasequencedimplementationofanAEOProgramme.• ProgressinlinewiththeEACdesireforaCustomsUnion.• Introductionofabroaderapproachtowardsborderandriskmanagement.

Theseobjectivesareunderpinnedbytwosupportprojectswhichdevelopand implementanHRstrategyandcommunicationstrategyfortheregion.

Afiveyearassistanceplan,fullyfinancedbytheSwedishInternationalDevelopmentCooperationAgency(SIDA)hasalreadybeenestablishedandwillberolledoutinasequencedmanner.ComponentsincludeaSteeringGroup,aRegionalProgrammeManager,TermsofReference,andtradersandotherstakeholderInvolvement.

East African Community

“Phase 1 of the Columbus Programme has pro-ven to be real value to our Members and donor organizations whilst Phase 2 has begun in ear-nest and its positive impact is already being felt throughout the trade chain. For the first time, a wave of strategic change is sweeping the Customs world, simultaneously bringing bene-fits to Governments, Customs administrations, traders and transporters. In Customs terms, it is an historic development”. Michel Danet WCO Secretary General

3 6 W C O n e W S I n ° 5 6 I j u n e 2 0 0 8

“The WCO’s holistic approach has made a significant impact on the future direction of Brazilian Customs.” ClecyLionco DeputySecretaryforCustoms,Federal

RevenueSecretariatofBrazil

Brazil has established a project to conductinternalandexternalsurveysandinterviewsofstaffandallrelevantstakeholders,tobench-mark administrative and procedural modelsandprepareaCustomsModernizationPlan.

TheprocessadoptedcomplieswiththeWCOCapacity Building Strategy and follows therecommendationsandstructureof theWCOdiagnostic.TheColumbusProgrammeispro-vidingmanagementsupportandqualityassur-anceforthemodernizationprogramme.

Implementation has already begun withmodernizationprojectsconcentratingon:

• Improvedanti-smugglingandborderprotec-tionfunctions.

• Implementation of a new cargo control sys-temwithadvanceelectronicinformation.

• Development of a new risk management ITsolution.

• Revisionof integritystrategiestoalignthemwiththeWCOArushaDeclarationandWCOIntegritytools.

The revised Customs mission has allowedsignificant investments in operational andtacticalequipment.

Another success story in theAmericas’ region isGuatemalanCustomswhichfallswithintheSuperintendencyoftheTaxAdministration(SAT).

A SAFE Framework diagnosticwas conducted in 2005 andCustomshas methodically and progressively implemented changes using anholistic approach including process redesign, installation of new ITapplications, human resource development and ethics. Recognizingthe importanceofhumanresources,SAThas implementedaschemethatsetsastrongfoundationtoprofessionalizetheservice.Currentlyunderdevelopmentare:

• Keyperformanceindicators.• DefinitionoftheparametersoftheAEOProgramme.• Professionalrequirementsforspecificjobs.• Additionaleducationandtraining.• Athoroughscreeningprocessthatrequiresvoicestressanalysis.

The Superintendent of SAT has recognized the importance of thisagencytoGuatemalaandhasbeenproactiveinCustomsdevelopment,enhancingthestatusoftheorganizationandshowingleadershipintheregion.

Basedon the FederalCustomsAuthority (FCA)Strategy,whichwasderivedfromrecommendationsoftheWCOPhase1diagnosticstudy,comprehensivesHRMandHRDplanshavebeendeveloped.

Workhasbegunonanalyzingcurrentjobdescriptions,andidentifyingrequiredchanges.

Furtherwork is planned todefinepersonal, functional and technicalcompetencies necessary for present performance and to assess thecompetenciesofcurrentFCAemployeesinordertoformulateatransi-tionanddevelopmentplan.

Performancemanagement,measurement,monitoringandevaluationsystemsarebeingdesignedandtheFCAwillbenchmarkitsorganiza-tionalstructurewithbestpractices.

Other plans include identifying training and development needs,setting a financial management policy, standards and procedures,anddesigninganevaluationsystem,tomeasuretheimpactandcosteffectivenessoftraining.

Brazil

Nigeria

Morocco

Serbia

Argentina

Guatemala

• PrivateSectorconsultativeforumestablished

• Customsdevelopmentprogrammeunderpreparation

• Improvedanti-smugglingfunctions

• NewCargoControlSystemimplemented

• Comprehensivedevelopmentplan

• Serviceprovidercontractsrefocused

• Nationalcargoscanningnetwork

• Programmemanagementteaminplace

• TimeReleaseStudy• HRandTraining

strategies

• ChangemanagementapproachatallCustomslevels.

• PartnershipCouncilwithstakeholders.

• AEOProgrammeisinplace

• AEOstandardsdeveloped• Scannersdeployed:3

mobile;6fixed;and26forbagsandluggage.

•Strategicplancompleted• 2xPhaseIIworkshops

conducted• AgreementonWCO

E-Learning• Electronicinformation

exchangewithneighbouringcountries

• PilotprojectsonriskmanagementandPostClearanceAudit

• Centralisedriskmanagementandrapidresponsecentre

• GPStransportcontrolsystem

• EnhancedCustomstoCustomscommunications

• AEOProgramme

•Processredesign• ITapplications•Ethicsprogramme• Professionalhuman

resourcescheme•Keyperformanceindicators

brazil

Guatemala United Arab Emirates

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WithsupportfromtheWCOSecretariat,theNigeriaCustomsServicehasproducedacomprehensivedevelopmentplanforreformtomeettherequirementsoftheSAFEFrameworkandtheECOWASdevelop-ment agenda. The programmehas been fully costed and aNationalProgrammeManagementTeamhasbeenestablished.

Atimereleasestudywascompletedin2007,enablingprioritydevel-opment areas to be identified.Using expertise from the Secretariat,currentcontractswithserviceprovidershavebeenrefocusedtopro-videfundingsupportforthedevelopmentprogramme, largely inthehumanresourcedevelopmentarea.InJanuary2008acomprehensiveneedsanalysiswasconductedwhichwill leadtoanHRstrategyanda training strategy to support both the organisational and technicaldevelopments.

Working with the service providers, the Programme ManagementTeam continue to roll out the ASYCUDA++ System according toplanandtopositionthenationalnetworkoffixedandmobilecargo-scanningequipment.

Asafollowuptothediagnosticmission,MoroccanCustomsinitiatedmodernizationstepstomeettheWCOSAFEstandards.

Investigations and intelligence functions have been introduced toenhanceanti-smugglingwork and the “SADOK” clearing systemhasbeenupgradedinto“BADR”.

AtransparenthumanresourcemanagementsystemtomeettheneedsoftheStrategicPlanisbeingsupportedbytheadoptionoftheWCOArushaDeclaration,theWCOintegritytoolsandatransparentCodeofConduct.

Customs legislationhasbeenamendedtomeet the requirementsofthesecurityandfacilitationofthetradesupplychain.

The introduction of risk management and targeting has decreasedclearance times while leading to more effective enforcementtargeting.

ArgentineCustoms’visionaryapproachhas ledtothedevelopmentofwhatiscalled“thelaboratory”whichisessentiallyacentralisedriskmanagementand rapid response centre. Headquartered in themainofficesofCustomsinBuenosAires,itservesasthenervecentreforviewingallactivitythroughoutthenation.Throughan impressivearrayofclosedcircuit cameras, GPS tracking devices on trucksandariskmanagementsystemthat isconstantlyupdated,thissystemisresponsivetoanysituation.Close involvement by the Director General andDeputyDirectorGeneralsupportsstrongdecision-makingandhasresultedinveryinformedandveryengagedexecutivemanagement.

Cargo tampering has been substantially reducedfollowingtheintroductionofGPSelectronicseals,whichhavecuttamperingandtheftandenabledArgentinatoexportitscontainerswithahighlevelofcredibilitytoothernations.Effectivecommuni-cationwithothercountries’Customsreducesthenumberofinspectionsoftheirgoods.Anotherpartof the multidimensional approach that encom-passes“the laboratory” is theuseofscannerstosecure goods being exported from the country.This initiativehas ledtobetterworkingrelationsandstrongercommunicationwithotherCustomsauthorities. Argentine Customs has a non-con-frontationalworkingrelationshipwiththeprivatesectorandhasdevelopedanAEOProgrammethatformspartoftheirStrategicPlantofacilitateandsecuretrade.

Argentina has used the SAFE Framework to gainthe political support necessary to effect change.It remains a committed and proactive Customsadministration, helping to lead theAmericas intothe21stCentury.

Jordan

Moldova

Mongolia

Oceania Customs Organization

Kazakhstan

• Developmentprojectwithfourcorepillars

• Newstrategicplandeveloped

• Improvedanti-smugglingfunctions

• PartnershipCouncilwiththeprivatesector

•AEOProgramme

• Phase2ImplemetationapprovedbyGovernment

• RiskManagementDivisioncreated

• NewCustomsTrainingCentreopened

• Customslaboratoryestablished• Customs-to-business

ConsultativeCommitteeformed

• Goodgovernancemeasuresinplace

• CustomsRiskmanagementSystemimplemented

• CustomstoCustomsagreementswithRussiaandChina

• harmonizede-manifestfortransitgoodsandmutualrecognitionofcustomsinspectionsanddocuments

• Clearancetimesreduced

•NewagreementwithWCO -Training -QualityAssurance -Fundingsupport

• WCO-WorldBank-KazakhstanCustomsServiceTripartiteAgreement

•Pilotprojects: -IntegratedBorderManagement -SecureCustomsandshipping

documentation(withKyrgyzstan) -JointCustomsbordercontrols(with

China

United Arab Emirates

• TheFederalCustomsAuthorityStrategyiscompleted

-Itsobjectiveistodevelopskills,competencies,tools,processesandresourcesoftheFCAadministrationtocarryoutitsallottedfunctionsandachieveitsobjectives

Lesotho

East African Community

•Newintelligence,riskmanagement,IT,andoperationalprocedures

•Changemanagementprogrammedevelopedbymanagementteam

• StrategicPlanagreed• Modernizationprogrammesetup: -3majorprojects(AEO;

CustomsUnion;&Border/RiskManagement)

-2supportprojects(HRandCommunicationsStrategies)

Argentina

Nigeria Morocco

South Africa

•Strategicdevelopmentplan• Customsatthecentreof

theGovernment’sbordermanagementpolicy

• AppropriatelevelofautonomyforSARSCustoms

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Moldova

MoldavianCustomshaslaunchedawiderangeofchangeinitiativesbasedontheWCOrecommendations.AttheopeningceremonyofthenewCustomsTrainingCentreinChisinauduring2007,thePrimeMinister ofMoldova expressed his appreciation for the assistanceprovidedbytheWCOandexpressedstrongpoliticalwilltosupporttheCustomscapacitybuildingprogramme.Majordonorsandrepre-sentativesoftheWCOwerealsopresent.

UnderGovernmentapprovedPhase2plans,newdivisionshavebeenestablished forRiskManagementandAnalysis,StrategicPlanning,andGoodsClassificationAdedicatedCustomslaboratoryhasbeenestablished and a Customs-to-Business Consultative Committeehasbeensetup.

Customs and theMinistry of Interior have signed aCollaborationAgreement that provides for common mobile groups and otheractivitiestocounteractCustomsfraudsandsmuggling.

Amendmentshavebeen introduced to theCustomsCodeonsim-plified Customs clearance procedures and on the Single Windowconcept. An electronic goods declaration procedure has beenintroduced.

Future activities include a programme of WCO training seminarsandworkshops

Oceania Customs Organization

ColumbusDiscoversPacificIslands“The Columbus programme will help fundamentally in developing the Customs services needed to meet the often unique challenges of the region”. RobertTaylor OCOSecretaryGeneral

UnderthetermsofanewagreementbetweentheWCOSecretariatandtheOceaniaCustomsOrganization,theColumbusprogrammehasbeenextendedtotheOceaniaregionunderthetitle“FaiFolau”whichmeans“Voyager”.

The agreement includes training, quality assurance, and fundingsupporttoassisttheregioninitseffortstojointheglobalCustomscommunity by implementing the SAFE Framework. Diagnosticmissions fundedbytheWCOhavebeencompleted inPapuaNewGuineaandFijiandanotherisscheduledsooninVanuatu.

WithinternationalandlocalaccreditedColumbusfacilitators,trainedinNadi(Fiji)andinAuckland(NewZealand)inFebruary2008,theregion is now equipped to launch Phase 1 of the Programme, fol-lowedquicklybyPhase2,intheperiodJunetoDecember2008.ThefirstRegionalTrendsandPatternsReportisplannedforcompletionbytheendof2008.

TheSecretaryGeneraloftheOCOisenthusiasticabouttheengage-mentwiththeWCOsofaranditsco-operativeapproach.

Kazakhstan

“The Customs service of Kazakhstan is on a brand new level of its development. Implementation of a number of reforms, aimed at laying the foundation for further successful functioning, increase in the country’s total trade, improvement of the investment climate, and bringing the Customs Code in line with world standards prove that Kazakh Customs service is progressing well”.

BolatZhamishevMinisterofFinance,Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan will implement Phase 2 of the Columbus ProgrammefullyaspartofitscomprehensivemodernizationprogrammethatisjointlyfinancedbytheWorldBank(USDollars18.5million)andtheKazakhGovernment.

TheKazakhCustomsModernizationProgrammefor2007–2009andtheWorldBank’sCustomsDevelopmentProject for 2008 – 2012have been developed based on WCO recommendations and willbe implemented under a WCO/World Bank/Kazakhstan CustomsServiceTripartiteAgreementthatwassignedon6March2007.

A new Modernization and Strategic Development Unit has beenestablished to coordinate implementation. Pilot projects withChina Customs have been initiated on joint Customs control(December 2007) and integrated border management (January2008).Inaddition,apilotprojectonSecuringCustomsandShippingDocumentationwithKyrgyzstanCustomswasimplementedinApril2008(SAFE-Package).

AmendmentstotheCustomsCodetransferringallfunctionsattheborderfromotheragenciestoCustomshavebeensubmittedtotheKazakhParliamentforapproval.

Serbia

InJanuary2008theStrategicActionPlanbasedontheWCOPhase1recommendationswasdrafted.A30monthprojectonRiskAnalysisAssessmentintheWesternBalkanCountries(RACWEB)startedon1January.

WCO Phase 2 workshops were conducted in 2007 covering riskmanagementandanalysisandITsupport,resulting inariskmana-gementsystembeingintroduced.

AnagreementhasbeensignedwiththeWCOtointroducetheWCOE-Learning Programme. In addition, Guidelines on Post-ClearanceAudit Functions have been published and an Integrated TariffSystem(TARIS)ispartiallyimplemented.

AgreementhasbeenreachedwithneighbouringCustomsadminis-trationsfortheelectronicexchangeofCustomsinformationlists.


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Mongolia

MongolianCustoms isadoptingbestpracticesusing theWCOrecom-mendationsandinternationallegalinstruments.Itisalreadymoretrans-parentandlessbureaucraticwhichhasimprovedunderstandingbetweenCustomsanditsstakeholders.

Customshasimplementedanationalautomatedriskmanagementpro-gramme,introducedacomplianttradersconcept,identifiedbaselinecom-plianceandnowexchangesdataoncrossbordermovementswithothercountries.Carriersmustsubmitpre-arrivalinformationwhichisassessedagainstWCOriskindicators.JuxtaposedcontrolsattheMongolia-ChinaborderareunderconsiderationandtherearealsoagreementswithChinaandRussiaaboutmutualrecognitionofCustomsinspectionsanddocu-ments,andtheuseofharmonizede-manifestsfortransitgoods.

Clearancetimeshavebeensubstantiallyreducedfromseveraldaystojustafewhoursthroughsimplifiedproceduresandbyofferinge-clearancetomoreclients.

The GAMAS Customs Automated Data Processing System has beenupgradedtoenablethedevelopmentofasingleprocessingsystemthatcaninterfacewithothergovernmentagencies,banks,freightforwardersandCustomsbrokerswhichpromotese-Governmentthroughpaperlessclearance.

Theimplementationofclientservicestandards,acodeofconduct,integ-rity training forofficers anda videomonitoring systemunderlines thehighpriorityMongoliaattributestogoodgovernance.

Jordan

Jordan Customs has initiated a wide ranging modernization projectunder Columbus Phase 2, which includes implementation of thecustoms-relatedBorderManagementTaskForcerecommendationsandtheupgradingandintegrationofCustoms’infrastructure.Compliancemanagementhasbeenenhancedthroughtheintroductionofthesinglewindow approach, riskmanagement, intelligence and post-clearanceaudit functions. An AEO Programme has commenced and amutualrecognitionagreementwiththeUSCustomsBorderProtectionagency(USCBP)willbesignedduringthe2008annualWCOCouncilsessions.

TheSAT(SystemsApproachtoTraining)isnowbeingappliedtoensurebettertargetedtraining.ITcapabilityisalsoreceivingattentionwiththeintroductionofASYCUDAWORLDandaccessbyallCustomsOfficerstotheinternetandintranet.

Awarenesscampaignsusingdifferentmediameanshavebeenlaunchedto introduce theworkofCustomsand the services it provides to allstakeholders. The Customs website has been enhanced to includeinformationinbothArabicandEnglish.AnewCustomerServiceUnithasalsobeenestablished.

A Code of Conduct for Jordanian Customs officials is one result ofJordan’s application of the WCO Arusha Declaration and WCOIntegritytools.

lesotho

“The greatest thing about the Columbus Programme is that WCO member administrations are only a phone call away from the sup-port they need in implementing the SAFE Framework of Standards. Members get access to world class support in implementing their change projects, without incurring any cost” ThaboLetjama CommissionerforCustomsandExcise,

LesothoRevenueAuthority

One of the earliest participants in the Columbus programme, theLesothoRevenueService’sCustomscomponentcontinuestoworkwith the WCO Secretariat to implement fundamental reforms inCustoms. The entire management team, from operational teamleaders to the Commissioner, produced and agreed to a prioritychange management programme based on the Revised KyotoConventionandtheSAFEFramework.

Astrategicdevelopmentplanhasbeencreated,whichreviewsandintroduces new intelligence, riskmanagement, IT, and operationalprocedures. This is supported by specific project plans including aprojecttorefurbishandmodernizeborderfacilities.Progressisbeingmade on trade and personnel profiles on which the detailed riskmanagementstrategywillbebased.

South Africa

FollowingthediagnosticmissionandsupportedbytheWCO,theSouthAfricanRevenueService(SARS)hasdevelopedastrategicdevelopmentplan for the implementation of the SAFE Framework. This plan hashelpedtopositionSARSCustomsat thecentreof theGovernment’sborder management policy development initiative. In addition, asthe plan rolls out, SARS has re-established an appropriate level ofautonomy for SARS Customs. A newly created Customs StrategyDevelopmentUnithasdeterminedthefuturedirectionofCustoms.

Tosupportthisnewdirection,SARSCustomshas:

• CompletedareviewofallCustomslawandanewSAFEcompliantCustoms Act is currently undergoing the process required forenactment.

• IntroducedanewNationalAnti-smugglingDivision,providingnewstandardoperatingpracticesconsistentwiththeSAFEFrameworkandsupportedbyanewtrainingprogrammeforCustomsstaff.

• Developed, inpartnershipwith the tradeandothergovernmentagencies,anAEOstrategywhichwillbepilotedduringthecurrentfinancialyear.

• Acquiredcargoscanningequipment.• StartedacomprehensivereviewofITrequirements.

Under theRegionalprogrammeandasaMemberof theSouthernAfricanCustomsUnion(SACU),SARSCustomshasalsocontributedtothedevelopmentofaregionalapproachtopolicydevelopment,riskmanagement, IT, andCustomsprocedures, supportedby jointactiononcommunicationsandHRdevelopment.

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tomarknotonlythisyear’sInternationalCustomsDaydedi-cated to the fight against drugs and precursors, but also theZollkriminalamt’s(ZKA)ceremonytopresentitsactivities,thePresidentoftheZKA,Mr.Karl-HeinzMatthias,extendedaninvi-tationtotheWCOSecretaryGeneral,Mr.MichelDanet,toge-therwithrepresentativesoftheGermanFederalGovernment,theGermanMinistryofFinanceandZKAofficials.

Following a Press Conference withGerman newspaper and television jour-nalists, Karl-Heinz Matthias invitedMichel Danet to present WCO certifi-catesofmerittothreeGermanCustomsofficials who had distinguished them-selves in the fight against trafficking indrugsandchemicalprecursors.

ThiswasalsoanopportunityforMichelDanet to present Mr. Harald Fröhlich,who is due to retire in summer 2008,withacrystaltrophyonbehalfoftheWCO.ThisawardwasinrecognitionofhisunfailingcontributiontoenhancingCustomsenforcementworldwide, especially inhis capacity asHeadofthe Regional Intelligence and Liaison Office Western Europe(RILOWE),andofhisprofessionalism,effectivenessanddyna-mismasChairpersonoftheEnforcementCommitteeforthreeyears.

MichelDanet then touredZKApremisesand took theoppor-tunitytomeettheteammakinguptheRILOWE,whichiniti-atedOperation“FairPlay”tocombattraffickingincounterfeitand pirated goods manufactured to coincide with the 2008OlympicGamesinBeijing.Thistargetedaction,forwhichtheRILOWEwill serve as theOperational Co-ordinationUnit, is

runningfrom1November2007to31August2008andisaimedatenhancingco-operationandinformationexchangebetweenstakeholders,includingtheprivatesectorand,morespecifical-ly,rightsholders.ItisbeingimplementedbytheWCO’selevenRILOs,andalmostall theOrganization’sMemberadministra-tionsareinvolved.

The formerHeadof theRILOWE,Mrs. Heike Barczyk from GermanCustoms, who was recentlyappointed to the InternationalCustomsCo-operationUnitwithinthe German Ministry of Finance,was replaced byMr. Stefan Kirschon1April2008.ThisseniorofficialpreviouslyworkedintheDirectorateGeneral of Customs and IndirectTaxation, and had special respon-sibility for European Customsco-operation in the enforcement

domain (including Customs/police co-operation, OLAF andEuropolaswellasMemorandaofUnderstanding).

The entire RILO WE team posed for a souvenir photographalongsidetheSecretaryGeneral.TheWCO News Editorial BoardwishesHarald Fröhlich a veryhappyretirement,andwouldliketoofferwordsofencourage-menttoStefanKirsch. l


TheSecretaryGeneralpaysavisittotheZKA

ZKA President Matthias and WCO SG Danet on their way to the Press Conference.

ZKA President Matthias giving his ceremonial speech.

Mr. Davrou, Mrs. Lehnart (interpreter), SG Danet and ZKA President Matthias during the international Press Conference.

Mr. Stefan Kirsch, the new Head of the RILO WE.

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SG Danet’s speech.

Mr. Karl-Heinz Matthias alongside Mr. Harald Fröhlich (ZKA) Mr. Jürgen Thiel (Zollfahndung München), Mr. Oliver Bohlender (Zollfahndung Frankfurt) and Mr. Franz Kohler (Zollfahndung Stuttgart – German Customs Investigation Service) having received WCO certificates of merit.

Mrs. Vesna Kadic (Assistant Director General, Croatia), SG Danet, Dr. Rainer Mellwig (ZKA) and Dr. Dierk Hahn (German Ministry of Finance).

SG Danet and officials from the RILO Western Europe (RILO WE): (from left to right) Mr. Brian Frederiksen (Denmark), Mr. Louis Moreau (France), Mrs. Hanne Sannerhaugen (Norway), SG Danet, Mrs. Linn Thier (Germany), Mrs. Martina Schick (Germany) and Mr. Peter Hauschild (Germany).

Dr. Dierk Hahn (German Ministry of Finance), Mrs. Vesna Kadic (Assistant Director General, Customs Directorate, Republic of Croatia) and Mr. Thomas Schoeneck (German Ministry of Finance).

Mr. Harald Fröhlich (ZKA) receiving a crystal trophy from SG Danet.

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the Fourth Global Congress on Combating Counterfeitingand Piracywhichwas held inDubai from3-5 February 2008endedonahighnotewithCongressparticipantsunanimouslyacceptingthatitwastimetotakeevenstrongeractionagainstthosewho disregard intellectual prop-erty rights by practising counterfeitingand piracy. Hosted by Dubai Customsand held under the patronage of HisHighnessSheikhMohammedbinRashidAlMaktoum,VicePresidentandPrimeMinisteroftheUAEandRulerofDubai,delegates attending the Congress hadtheopportunitytolistentoalmost60top-notch speakers, whose presenta-tions covered the critical challengesgenerated by the growing counterfeit-ingandpiracytrade.

Attractingover1,200delegatesrepresenting90countries,theeventprovidedaplatformfor leadersfromgovernment,busi-ness and international organizations to share their views and

DubaiCongressstrengthensglobalpartnership

identifyconcreteactions todealwith thechallenges faced ineach of the priority areas identified by the Congress found-ingmembers: co-operation and co-ordination; legislation andenforcement; capacity building; raising awareness; and health

and safety risks. In addition, specialsessions on the challenges facing freetrade zones and transhipment coun-tries aswell as the sale of counterfeitandpiratedproducts over the Internetwere also featured. The outcomes oftheCongresshavebeendevelopedintothe Dubai Declaration, a series of keyrecommendationsforspecificactions.

The Congress partners representingINTERPOL,WIPO, theWCO, the ICC-

BASCAPinitiative,INTAandISMAremainunitedintheirefforttocombatcounterfeitingandpiracy. l

more informationwww.ccapcongress.net

Fourth Global Congress Conference delegates

Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Director General of Dubai Customs, with Michel Danet

H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum opens the Exhibition

Michel Danet and Ronald Noble, INTERPOL Secretary General

From left to right - Richard Heath (INTA), David

Benjamin (ICC-BASCAP), Michael Keplinger (WIPO)

and Ronald Noble (INTERPOL)

Abbas Abdullah Makki receiving a Certificate of Merit from the Secretary General

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InternationalexpertsinCustomsandbordermanagementandITbusinessofficialsgatheredinSeoulfrom23to25Apriltodiscusswhat IT can offer to boost efficiency and security. Hosted bytheKoreaCustomsService(KCS)andtheWCO,the2008WCOITConference&Exhibitionwith the theme “IntegratedBorderManagement”wasattendedbyabout500participants.

Korea's Vice Finance Minister Choi Joong-kyung said “thecustomsserviceshouldserveasthemainarteryoftheglobaleconomy.”KCSCommissioner,HurYong-Suk,added“IT isanessentialpartofCustoms innovation”andhehoped that the

conferencewouldhelptosetupasingleglobalnetworktopro-moteeconomicdevelopmentaroundtheworld.

Participantshadtheopportunitytoviewthelatestinnovativeinformationtechnologiesandseewherethefutureofcustomsis heading. The conference was also an opportunity for theWCOtoshareexperiencesandbesttechnologieswithmembercountriesandtheprivatesector. l


IT,thekeytointegratedbordermanagement

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未标题-1 1 2008-4-11 14:09:18

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More than 150 experts gathered in Brussels from 27 to 28March2008fordiscussionson“TheWCOinthe21stCentury”,aspartofaseriesofglobalforatakingplaceunderthebanner“InventingOurFuture”.Thepurposeoftheexercise:toconductacriticalassessmentoftheorganizationandfunctioningoftheWCOandof itsmission, in the light of themajor challengesfacingtheOrganization.

Belgium’s Minister of Enterprise and AdministrativeSimplification, Mr. Vincent Van Quickenborne, honoured theForumwith his presence at the opening session, delivering adynamic address which provided the right impetus for thisinnovative exercise in projecting the future – the keynote

Evolution or extinction,thechallengeweface!

being the need for Customs administrationsto evolve towards the integrated managementof the international supply chain using virtualinformation flows, in order to overcome timeconstraintsandphysicalbarrierssothatwecandelivertheresultsandperformanceexpectedofusintoday’senvironment.

InabidtoopenupthediscussionsMr.ChristopherGillis,EditorofAmericanShippermagazinewhohas beenworking in the Customs environmentfor more than a decade, was invited to leadthe Forum.Under his leadership, some twentyexperts spoke on one of five selected themes:the decision-making process and the nature ofWCO instruments, supply chain security and

trade facilitation, how the responsibilities of Customs arechanging,andtheimportanceofanappropriatecapacitybuild-ingstrategy.

ThisForumhasprovidedanopportunityforrepresentativesoftheprivatesector,partner institutionsandacademiatocometogetherforconstructivedeliberations,whichwillundoubtedlyharness synergies tohelp the internationalCustoms commu-nityadapttoanever-changingenvironmentandlookaheadtochangeswhichwillneedtobemade. l

more informationwww.wcoomd.org

WCO Secretary General welcomes the Belgian Minister of Enterprise and Administrative

Simplification, Vincent Van Quickenborne

Valentine Rugwabiza, Deputy Director General, WTO

WCO Training Calendar 2008

WCO TRAINING COURSES ARE DISTRIBUTED BY:

10-12 June 2008

Training on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy Enhance your understanding of the role Customs plays to protect intellectual property rights. Learn how to cooperate with Customs Administrations.

Harmonized System: General Interpretative Rules Whether you are a novice or a specialist, this essential course will enhance your ability to classify goods with confidence.

14-15 October 2008

Course language

Brochure

Registration Form

28-30 October 2008

Expert training on Rules of Origin (Beginner & Expert)A unique opportunity to develop your knowledge of preferential and non-preferential Rules of Origin.

18-19 November 2008

Expert training on Customs Valuation & Transfer Pricing

Develop your knowledge on how to determine the Customs value of goods using the Transaction value method & Transfer Pricing.

Interested in more information? E-mail: [email protected] • Tel: +32 (0)2 227 11 26 • web: www.premierairtime.com

16-17 October 2008

Harmonized System for High-Tech Products Gain a greater understanding of the rules for classifying high-tech products in

the Harmonized System.

25-27 November 2008

Training on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy

Enhance your understanding of the role Customs plays to protect intellectual property rights.

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theEastWestInstitute’s5thWorldwideSecurityConferenceended with the conclusion that while the past five yearshave seen someprogresswithworldwide security, the taskof addressing the threat of terrorism, in its recurring andsometimesnewforms,remainsachallenge.

TheConference, held atWCOHeadquarters from 19 to 21February,focusedinparticularonthefinancingofterrorism,lookingatallthemethodsusedtolaundermoney.

Inrelationtothetransferoffundsoutsidetheofficialbank-ing system, therewasdiscussion aboutparallel systemsoftransmitting funds, generally known as “hawalas”, the useof commercial transactions to laundermoney, and the useofcashcouriers.

For Customs administrations, this is about taking meas-ures to control the movement of capital : controls onnaturalpersons,theirbaggageandtheirmeansoftransport.Another issue iscombating fraudulentcommercial transac-tionswhichareconcealingunjustifiedfinancialtransactionsbetweenparties.

Michael Schmitz, WCO Director of Compliance andFacilitation, emphasized the importance of controls, not

only at importation but also at exportation, in transship-ment and in transit. Developing risk analyses in this arearequiresaglobalvisionofthetransactionsaswellastrained,specializedofficers.

Other problems addressed included inadequate humanresources (administrations are frequently under-staffed),the difficulty of detecting this type of fraud (even for themost experienced officers), and the lack of enthusiasm ofcertain countries, whose top priority is the collection ofdutiesandtaxes.

“Fightingmoneylaundering is likesearchingforaneedle inahaystack”participantssaid.“Gettingthevitalinformationisthekey,butthisrequiresbetterexchangesbetweenthoseinvolved in combating money laundering”. A great dealremainstobedoneintermsofgathering,enrichingandcir-culatinginformation.Organizedcrimemaybelivinguptoitsname,butunfortunatelythereisadegreeofdisorganizationintheresponseoftheenforcementauthorities. l

more informationwww.ewi.info

Organizedcrime;disorganizedlawenforcement!

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the dramatic rise in the number of preferential tradearrangements, together with complex and often confus-ing rules of origin are some of the increasing challengesfacing both customs administrations and the businesscommunity.

It is anticipated that there will be over 400 preferentialtrade arrangements by 2010 covering more than 50% ofworld tradeandshowinga regionaldistributionofprefer-entialtradethatisrelativelyunevenwithsignificantsharesofpreferentialtradefordevelopedcountries.

TheWCOisworkingcloselywithitsmembersinexaminingthelevelandtypeofsupportthatcanbegiventocustomsadministrationand thebusiness community toensure thecorrectmanagementandapplicationofrulesoforigincon-tainedinpreferentialtradearrangements.

In January2008, aTask Forceof experts in rulesoforigincomprisedofcountries representingevery regionandwhoare involved in over 100 arrangements,met at theofficesof the WCO. The experts exchanged information andexperiences in the customsmanagement of the rules andexamined specific proposals on how customs can furtherimprove their understanding and implementation of therulesoforigin.

ATaskforcetoimproveimplementationofrulesoforigin

The WCO is launching a detailed and com-prehensive study into the various preferentialarrangements in force globally with a view toestablishingaglobalframeworkofstandardsinthenegotiation,draftingandimplementationofpreferentialarrangements.

OtherpracticalinitiativeslaunchedbytheWCOinclude the development of a comprehensivedatabase of trade arrangements with the rel-evant rulesoforigin targetedat customs serv-ices to support theirwork in this area, aswellas technical assistance delivered to customsofficials who are actively involved in dealingwithrulesoforiginonaroutinebasis.

Aconstructiveandopendialogueexistsbetweenthebusi-ness community and the WCO and this will be furtherdevelopedatamajorconferencetobeheldintheWCOinJune2008inwhichcustomsadministrations,thebusinessworld, international and regional organisations, and otherplayers in theglobal tradecommunitycanopenlyexpresstheir concerns, expectations and new ideas in order toimprove the administration andmanagement of the rulesoforigin.

Training programmes aimed at the business communityare provided by the WCO and supported by the activeparticipation of experienced experts from WCO customsadministrations.ThemostrecentcoursetookplaceattheWCOinApril2008andinvolvedparticipantsfrom12coun-tries.Thesetrainingcourseslooktodeepentheknowledgeof how the rules of origin should be applied in order tofacilitate the flowof legitimate traffic and to support theincreaseduptakeofpreferentialdutyratesbythe interna-tionalbusinesscommunity. l

more informationwww.wcoomd.org

The GTA® is an easy access to:

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Wanttoknowmore?Visitourwebsitehttp://events.wcoomd.org

LocationWCOHeadquartersBrussels,Belgium

Date10-11June2008

Co-chairsFrédéric Carluer

ProfessorofManagementattheUniversityofLeHavre(CIRTAI)andresearchassociateattheNormandy

BusinessSchool

Michael SchmitzDirectorofCompliance

andFacilitationWorldCustomsOrganization

WORLD CUSTOMS FORUM

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Documents

WCO · 9 - 10 Meeting of the Global Facilitation Partnership for Transportation and Trade (GFP), Cape Town (South Africa) 10 - 11 WCO Conference on “The future of 100% scanning”