The Americas and the Caribbean region hosted this Wednesday (16.11.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX), in the Peruvian city of Lima, the fourth consultation on the modernization of the World Customs Organization (WCO), official sources reported.
Such consultation, organized by the National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT) of Peru in charge of the WCO regional vice-presidency, had the participation of twenty-six member administrations, according to a statement.
In his introductory remarks, the Vice President of the Americas and the Caribbean Region, Luis Enrique Vera Castillo, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity of this consultation exercise, in the context of the 70th anniversary of the WCO. He also considered that this work is extremely important and requires the full contribution of Customs administrations around the world, in order for the Organization to be agile and responsive in a global environment characterized by uncertainty and constant change.
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary General of the WCO, Ricardo Treviño, thanked the regional representation for its support and leadership in organizing this consultation and for hosting it at its headquarters.
Participants from the region agreed that greater consistency in the Organization's processes, especially through the implementation of a comprehensive corporate approach, would greatly benefit the WCO at multiple stages. They placed particular emphasis on the need to further develop the performance measurement culture within the Organization and use this mechanism currently being designed as a basis for increasing transparency and accountability. While they recognized the relevance of questioning the functioning of the WCO, They asked for caution and a proper analysis of the potential impact and consequences of any decision before moving forward. They also advised the WCO to set a clear order of priority for what needs to be done to ensure progress and results.
The WCO Modernization Plan is one of the key products specified in the Strategic Plan 2022-2025 to respond to the needs identified in the Focus Area “Governance and Accountability”.
To this end, it is worth remembering that the WCO is made up of 184 Members, which are divided into 6 regions: South America, North America, Central America and the Caribbean; Europe; Eastern and Southern Africa; Northern Africa, Near and Middle East and Far East; Western and Central Africa; and Far East, South and Southeast Asia, Australasia and Pacific Islands.
Under this approach, the WCO will continue with the environmental analysis. “These regional consultations will continue, with the aim of presenting a Modernization Plan to the WCO. Committee on Political Affairs and the Council in June 2023 for approval,” he stressed.
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