The 54th Annual Session of the Association of Professional Customs Agents (ASAPRA), the highest decision-making body of said Organization, was held in Santiago, Chile on November 6 and 7, under the guidance and direction of the President of the Association, Nelson Brens Castillo, and with the participation of delegations representing the 24 Members from the Americas, Africa and Europe.
During the session, by-elections were held with the following results:
New Directors (January 2024 to December 2025)
-Luis Ernesto Rodríguez, proposed by the Confederation of Associations of Customs Agents of the Mexican Republic (CAAAREM).
-Diego Díaz Coll, proposed by the Association of Customs Brokers of Uruguay (ADAU).
-Erides Díaz, proposed by the National Union of Customs Brokers of Panama (UNCAP).
New Regional Vice Presidents (2024)
-North America Area: José D. González, proposed by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA).
-Central America and the Caribbean Area: Wilfida Sandoval Alvarenga, proposed by the National Federation of Customs Agents of Honduras (FENADUANAH).
-Andean Area: Katya López Mena, proposed by the Ecuadorian Federation of Customs Agents (FEDA).
The President of ASAPRA congratulated the professionals and welcomed them to “work together” to achieve our common goals and continue to advance in excellence in the international customs field.
ASAPRA customs agents also participated in other activities. On Friday, in fact, they met at the International Congress held under the motto 'Towards a Digital and Ecological Global Trade'. The training meeting was chaired by its President, the representative of the Dominican Republic, Nelson Brens.
The top representative of ASAPRA made clear the important challenge of moving forward in “Rules of origin in the green transition””. In this regard, he stressed that “Professional Customs Agents are essential catalysts” for the task, “with their expertise, contact networks and strategic position in international trade, they are well positioned to facilitate and accelerate the implementation of programs focused on the green transition.”
“This mission is reinforced by the strong support of entities such as ASAPRA, which stands out in training in global standards and in the innovation of technological tools to strengthen a global network. This network not only focuses on the verification and compliance of data and documents, paying special attention to essential aspects such as security in the rules of origin, but also highlights the approach of modern customs committed to respect for the environment, a vision supported by prestigious international organizations such as the WCO, WTO and UNCTAD,” said Brens.
The most outstanding aspect. The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, He was the protagonist of the annual ASAPRA session; he attended the closing ceremony of the General Assembly and the International Congress, accompanied by the head of the National Customs Service of Chile, Alejandra Arriaza. In his speech, he expressed the importance of working in unison.
“It is important to strengthen the partnership between Customs and the private sector, which must be based on trust, cooperation, mutual understanding and respect, which form the basis for fluid international trade,” the Secretary General stressed in his final reflection.
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