The World Customs Organization decided on Friday (11.12.2020) to adopt specific measures to be implemented by Customs in order to support the effort to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, the distribution of which is expected to be the largest and fastest operation in the world.
“The global Customs community has once again demonstrated its agility and immediate readiness to play its role as a vital link in the supply chain for vaccine distribution,” the statement said. Secretary General of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya.
The Secretary-General added: “The WCO Secretariat will devote all necessary efforts and resources to support its members by providing guidance for the implementation of simplified and harmonized border procedures, sharing relevant information and experiences, providing capacity-building support, carrying out tailored operational activities, and enhancing cooperation with the private sector and international partner organizations.”
The measures to be implemented by member customs administrations range from facilitating the cross-border movement of critical medicines and vaccines and the containers and devices to be used for their transport, to measures that will prevent the cross-border movement of counterfeit or substandard medicines and vaccines. The latter, with the intention of deterring criminal organisations from taking advantage of the situation generated by the pandemic.
The international organization, based on the concept of Coordinated Border Management, calls on member customs administrations to:
- Cooperate and coordinate with relevant government agencies and supply chain stakeholders.
- Strengthen its cooperation with the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association, and other intergovernmental organizations, and relevant areas responsible for the supply chain, to ensure that timely and appropriate information and guidance are available to WCO members.
The measures were adopted unanimously in the 137th Session of the Customs Cooperation Council where a resolution was defined on the role of customs in facilitating the cross-border movement of medicines and vaccines for critical situations.
This resolution marks an important milestone in the efforts of the global customs community to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on economies and societies around the world.
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