At the annual sessions of the Council of the World Customs Organization (WCO) in June 2023, WCO members, represented by the Directors General of Customs elected their new Secretary General, the American Ian Saunders, whose five-year term began on 1 January of 2024.
Ian Saunders is committed to driving Customs towards a secure, prosperous and inclusive future. He said: “While respecting the WCO’s rich past, there is a need to innovate and adapt to modern challenges. I intend to lead the Organization by forging strong and lasting public-private partnerships, leveraging technology, promoting inclusivity for effective global Customs cooperation, and ensuring transparency and openness as fundamental principles of good governance.”
Thus, this Wednesday (03.01.2024), during a change of flags at the WCO headquarters in Brussels, former Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya was thanked and acknowledged. “Welcoming the beginning of a 'new era' for the World Customs Organization,” Deputy Secretary General Ricardo Treviño wrote on his X network.
The Americas and the Caribbean
In its 70-year history, the WCO has had four European leaders, one Australian, two Americans, one Japanese and now again one from the United States.
Tras twenty two years Under Japanese control of the organization, a regional rotation began at the WCO in 2024, this time led by a leader from the Americas and the Caribbean.
It is recalled that the Secretary-General is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the WCO Secretariat and, together with the Deputy Secretary-General, is responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of the Secretariat.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
