The World Customs Organization (WCO) announced on Thursday (02.11.2023) that it has joined the declaration of the G7 Trade Ministers on improving global trade and customs operations.
“The WCO reaffirms its commitment to enhancing inclusiveness in the multilateral trading system, supporting supply chain resilience and addressing the challenges posed by e-commerce,” it said.
El Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the WCO, he pointed out that the aim is to “achieve these objectives through strengthened cooperation with emerging and developing economies and by taking advantage of our experience and global network.”
His remarks came after G7 Trade Ministers highlighted the growing importance of international cooperation in addressing the multifaceted challenges of modern trade and emphasised the vital role Customs plays in promoting efficient and responsible global trade.
It should be noted that the G7 Trade Ministers issued a declaration at a meeting held in Osaka-Sakai, Japan on Sunday, October 29, 2023, in which they describe various policies that required actions by customs administrations. These areas include:
- improve supply chain resilience,
- regulate electronic commerce and
- addressing the interaction between trade and environmental and climate change issues.
In particular, Ministers expressed their determination to strengthen engagement with emerging and developing economies in the areas of Trade and Development. They underlined the importance of making the multilateral trading system more inclusive, recognising the fundamental role of capacity building through the World Customs Organisation (WCO). They also pointed out the need for training customs officials to expedite customs procedures, in particular for the rapid processing of emergency relief supplies.
It is worth noting that the G7 is seeking to strengthen its alliances with the so-called Global South, made up of emerging powers in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, which have been invited to this Japanese meeting as a pioneer.
The Trade and Industry Ministers of Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, together with the European Union's trade commissioner, were joined in the first session by their counterparts from Australia, Chile, India, Indonesia and Kenya, as well as by three trade organisations with global influence, including the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
These developing nations are seen as players with enormous potential for building resilient and reliable supply chains, as well as playing an important role in achieving inclusive growth in developing countries.
The Trade Ministers' Declaration is available in English:
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