The United States on Thursday (26.01.2023) formally nominated one of its most prominent officials, Ian Saunders, who has 30 years of experience in international relations and customs, as a candidate to lead the World Customs Organization (WCO).
The WCO position will be up for renewal next June when its incumbent Kunio Mikuriya of Japan completes his term.
According to the statement, the candidacy of the American official was presented yesterday – International Customs Day – by Acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Troy A. Miller.
“Visionary and skilful leadership is needed at the WCO as complex trade and security challenges proliferate around the world,” Miller said. “Ian Saunders is ready to provide that leadership and ensure the WCO remains effective, efficient, accountable and transparent in the future.”
With an extensive track record in tackling complex challenges, Ian Saunders currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Saunders said: “The WCO is important for global trade because it is where discussions take place on the guidelines and rules that enable customs to manage international trade effectively.”
As a relevant organisation, the WCO influences the daily work of its members to keep international trade safe and maintain the movement of legitimate goods. “Our support for the organisation in the future can only help to preserve and improve the standard of living that trade enables,” he added.
How will the appointment be carried out?
The procedure for appointing the head of the OMA is, precisely, an election mechanism that takes place every five years.
The Secretary-General is elected by secret ballot by a majority of the WCO Council, the supreme body composed of the heads of the 184 customs offices of the Member States.
The candidate elected as Secretary General will implement, together with the Committees of the Organization, the objectives of the WCO Strategic Plan approved by the Council.
The United States has so far only served as WCO Secretary-General since 1994, with the election of James Shaver, former Assistant Commissioner for International Affairs of the Customs Service. His term ended in 1998.
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