The World Customs Organization (WCO) cancelled the 5th Global Customs Conference scheduled to be held from 10 to 12 March 2020 in Dubai, an emirate city in the United Arab Emirates, due to fear of the spread of the coronavirus (now known as COVID-19).
In a statement posted on its website, the organization said it had cancelled the summit as a precaution due to the evolution of the virus and did not want to take any risks.
The statement reads below:
Since the first edition of the WCO World Conference held in Korea in 2012, the World Customs Organization (WCO) has brought together Customs administrations, the business community, policy makers, legal and academic representatives, as well as other government agencies to build capacity, enhance cooperation and foster a global public-private dialogue for the implementation of AEO Programmes worldwide.
Following serious reservations from the host country (UAE) regarding the health and safety of participants in this Conference, and after careful consideration of concerns about the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on travel and other circumstances, the WCO Secretariat has agreed to the request of the host country to cancel the Conference which was scheduled to be held from 10 to 12 March 2020 in Dubai.
Aware of the impact this will have on participants, sponsors and exhibitors, we are confident that everyone will understand this decision.
The WCO and the host country will continue to work closely to monitor the situation and will communicate further information in due course.
Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China and around the world.
More updates on the WCO AEO Conference can be found on our website: www.wcoomd.org.
Thanks for your understanding.
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.
