What did the 2026 Technology Conference leave behind? According to official information from the World Customs Organization (WCO), the Technology Conference and Exhibition 2026, considered the organization's flagship event, was rated as a success due to the results achieved and the level of international participation.
The meeting took place over three days in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, under the motto “Customs agility in a complex world: securing and facilitating trade through innovation”, and brought together customs administrations, international organizations and key private sector players from around the world.
After opening day Focused on border security and supply chain resilience, the Conference continued on its second and third days with an agenda geared towards trade facilitation through digital solutions and innovation applied to the future of Customs, as had been anticipated at the opening of the event.
Throughout the various sessions, customs authorities and stakeholders analyzed how the strategic adoption of technologies, combined with appropriate governance frameworks, capacity building and international cooperation, can strengthen border security while promoting more agile, secure and efficient trade.
Second day: Facilitating trade through digital channels
On Thursday, January 29, the second day was dedicated to “Trade Facilitation through Digital Channels.” According to the World Customs Organization, participants learned about the progress of the Single Window and other digital platforms, the trusted trade ecosystems that enable data reuse in supply chains, and the role of technology in strengthening the sustainability agenda through data-driven approaches that promote more resilient and sustainable supply chains.
The agenda included three plenary sessions with high-level roundtables and sixteen technology talks, where private sector companies presented innovative solutions to the challenges faced by customs in their compliance and facilitation missions.
In the afternoon, parallel sessions were held focusing on:
- Interoperability of NII systems through the WCO Unified File Format (UFF) 3.0.
- Accelerating cross-border data exchange through the WCO Data Model.
- Use of artificial intelligence and automation in inspection workflows.
- Low-code and no-code tools, IoT-enabled smart seals, and cyber-secure trade brokers.
This second day showed that lDigital transformation and collaboration between customs authorities and the private sector are key to strengthening securityto improve efficiency and move towards safer and more sustainable trade.
Day Three: Innovating for the future of customs
The last day, the Friday, January 30th The event highlighted how technological innovation allows customs to be more agile, resilient and data-driven, while still fulfilling its mission of facilitation, security and innovation.
According to information provided by the WCO, the topics included:
- Modern non-intrusive inspection capabilities.
- Integrated approaches to risk management.
- Increasing use of cloud computing and data analytics, which facilitates faster decisions and greater operational agility.
The WCO also stated that the conference reaffirmed the importance of interoperability and the reliable exchange of data, supported by standards such as the WCO Data Model and the Unified File Format (UFF), with the aim of strengthening cooperation and improving end-to-end cross-border visibility. It was also emphasized that complex border challenges require the participation of multiple actors, combining expertise, resources, and collective action.
During the event, a hackathon was held where participants presented practical prototypes to address real-world customs challenges. The results were: Jury Prize: AD Ports Digital and Audience Choice Award: Dhabi71
Closing
Of course, the closing ceremony was led by WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunderswho stated: “In a complex and dynamic environment where the challenges can be enormous, the best way forward depends on a sense of shared responsibility and a willingness to work together to guide the right investments, the development and implementation of the right tools, and adjustments or approaches as lessons are learned. This involves planning that ensures technologies are used by people prepared to take full advantage of the opportunities that arise.”
Following his remarks, Mr. Saunders thanked the speakers, delegates, sponsors, and exhibitors, and highlighted the strong spirit of collaboration demonstrated throughout the Conference. The closing ceremony also included the participation of Her Excellency Alia Mohammed Juma Al Marmoom, Executive Director of the Customs Affairs Sector of UAE Customs.
Thus, In January 2026, in Asia, the WCO Technology Conference It concluded with spaces for formal and informal exchange—such as the Grab-and-Go Lunch, designed to encourage networking—and consolidated its status as a flagship event, with broad participation from customs authorities and actors from around the world, according to information provided by the organization.The next annual conference will be held in South Korea, again in Asia.
For more details, you can consult the official WCO agenda here: https://wcotechconf2026.wcoevents.org/en/agenda/30th-Jan
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