The World Customs Conference 2024 has kicked off in Brazil, bringing together nearly 1.300 customs experts and industry leaders from 117 countries. This key event in the customs field kicked off with a opening ceremony led by Cláudia Thomaz, Undersecretary of Customs Administration of the Brazilian Federal Revenue Secretariat, and Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO). Both highlighted the importance of technology and strategic partnerships for the modernization of customs, with the aim of building safer, more sustainable and resilient supply chains globally.
Next, a high-level round table titled "Unveiling new technological horizons through collaboration and innovation for seamless commerce”, moderated by the Secretary-General of the WCO himself. This session was attended by Cláudia Thomaz; AnnMarie Highsmith, Deputy Executive Commissioner of the Office of Trade at the United States Customs and Border Protection (US CBP); Colm Leonard, Vice-President of the WCO Private Sector Advisory Group; and Francisco Lima Mena, Secretary-General of the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA). The panellists analysed the crucial role of data-driven innovation and emerging technologies in the transformation of customs operations, and presented specific strategies to improve efficiency, real-time risk management and foster efficient cross-border collaboration.
The first day also included three panels which addressed technological advances in different modes of transport.
Over the next two days, participants will delve into screening technologies, explore digital solutions to facilitate global trade, and discuss the benefits of single window platforms. A specific session will be dedicated to how customs can leverage the potential of strategic collaborations with new partners to foster safe and sustainable cross-border e-commerce.
El The second day The conference will include two parallel sessions in the afternoon designed to improve data sharing and expand detection capabilities by implementing effective command centre operating concepts (CONOPS). Other sessions will address the adoption of technologies such as blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) by customs administrations and share successful experiences from research and development (R&D) projects that support improvements in detection capabilities and promote green and digital transitions.
El third day, The event, called “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Day”, will focus on the analysis of various applications of AI in the customs field. During this day, regulatory aspects, prerequisites, as well as the risks and challenges involved in its implementation will be addressed.
Finally, under the motto “The future of customs in the digital age: strategies for sustainable innovation and collaboration”, the closing roundtable will offer a reflection on the main debates and conclusions of the Conference, outlining a strategic vision for the future of customs operations in a digital context.
Source:
-https://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2024/november/2024-wco-technology-conference-kicks-off-in-rio-de-janeiro-brazil.aspx
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