El Deputy Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Ricardo Treviño Chapa, highlighted the role of Customs in streamlining the operation of global supply chains and facilitating cross-border trade in COVID-19 medical supplies, during a major event of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), under the Chatham House Rule.
The meeting entitled ““Scaling up COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing to promote equitable access” The meeting was held virtually on 21 July 2021, with the aim of updating and expanding the information base on the production of COVID-19 vaccines and promoting a common understanding on production capacity projections, through dialogue with industry, civil society, WTO Members and other stakeholders.
In the session entitled «Expanding manufacturing by addressing regulatory and supply chain barriers,” Ricardo Treviño highlighted the role of Customs and the WCO in facilitating and securing the cross-border movement of COVID-19 vaccines and related supplies and equipment, including vaccine manufacturing inputs and components.
“Following the publication by the WTO of the Joint Indicative List of Critical COVID-19 Vaccine Supplies developed as a joint effort of the WTO, WCO and other organizations, Member Customs administrations can use the list to prioritize and facilitate border clearance of these critical inputs for the manufacturing, storage, distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.", said the OMA director.
He also stated that “The WCO remains committed to continuing close collaboration with other international organizations and the pharmaceutical industry to support the global effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.”
The discussions addressed a wide range of issues that will result in a clear mapping of current and potential production capacity and ways to progress towards equitable and sustainable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. They discussed expanding and diversifying manufacturing, strengthening regulatory systems, and identifying areas where further action may be needed to meet the challenge of vaccine equity while boosting the global economy.WCO Press Release)
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