The Policy Committee of the World Customs Organization (WCO) met from 5 to 7 December in Manama, capital of Bahrain, on the shores of the Persian Gulf, to review the WCO's activities during the middle of the year.
The Organization announced this in a statement, indicating that the steering group - which is responsible for making policy recommendations to the highest decision-making body, the Council - was chaired by Ahmed Al Khalifa, president of Bahrain Customs.
Along these lines, he stated that the WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya and Council President Ahmed Al Khalifa, expressed their satisfaction with the work carried out by the Policy Commission in focusing on key technical customs issues. They also acknowledged the support provided by the six regional Vice-Presidents, as well as the Chairs of the Audit and Finance Committees.
Thus, the Policy Commission discussed a wide variety of issues: Green Customs, the evolution towards hybrid Customs administrations, the WCO Data Strategy, Fragile Borders, illicit trade and the work of other international organisations, and Gender Equality and Diversity.
Delegates also discussed the Strategic Plan for 2023/2024 and the activities to be incorporated, as well as the financial perspective of the WCO.
The Policy Commission also discussed governance, with an emphasis on developing a WCO Modernization Plan which would pave the way for new innovations within the Organization to continue advancing its important mission and better respond to the diverse needs of its Members.
With this future-oriented agenda, the following was highlighted: WCO theme for 2023“Nurturing the next generation: promoting a culture of knowledge sharing and professional pride in Customs.”
On the sidelines of the session, representatives of the Policy Commission, including the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and the six Regional Vice-Presidents, joined the President of the Council on a visit to His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain.
In this context, His Royal Highness welcomed the delegates and acknowledged "the great importance of the role of Customs in securing and facilitating trade," according to the WCO.WCO Press Release)
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