Members of the World Customs Organization (WCO) agreed today (24.06.2023), by consensus, to appoint US candidate Ian Saunders as the next Secretary General of the organization, the WCO announced in a press release.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the WCO General Council, in which the senior leader of the U.S. Department of Commerce was formally selected for a five-year term.
“During the sessions, the Directors General of Customs elected Mr. Ian Saunders of the United States as the new Secretary General of the WCO for a five-year term beginning on 1 January 2024,” the WCO said.
Ian Saunders, an official with more than 20 years of experience in customs and 30 years of expertise in international relations, will thus replace Kunio Mikuriya (Japan), who has strategically led the Organization since 2009.
The new Secretary-General of the WCO, an organization with 185 member countries and based in Brussels (Kingdom of Belgium), said: “While respecting the rich past of the WCO, there is a need to innovate and adapt to modern challenges. I intend to lead the Organization by forging strong and lasting public-private partnerships, leveraging technology, promoting inclusiveness for effective global customs cooperation, and ensuring transparency and openness as fundamental principles of good governance.”
Ian Saunders previously held senior positions at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Federal Highway Administration. He was responsible for overseeing international policy, capacity building, information sharing, and global technology exchange programs. He also led multiple U.S. delegations to the WCO and chaired the organization’s Permanent Technical Committee from 2019 to 2020 while serving as CBP’s Assistant Commissioner for International Affairs. He is responsible for developing programs, policies, and strategies to strengthen trade cooperation in the Western Hemisphere in his current role at the Department of Commerce.
In addition to this background, the strong will and determination of the candidate, who belongs to the Americas and Caribbean Region, have led to his appointment to manage and lead the only international body dedicated to developing customs standards and instruments for 70 years. The WCO and its members work collectively to reduce trade costs, facilitate the cross-border movement of essential goods and protect society from unsafe products.
His appointment was quickly praised. Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya, whose term expires at the end of December 2023, said: “I congratulate the winner on his election and wish him all the best as he takes up his duties.” He added: “The WCO has stood the test of time and, despite changes in global trade and the recent pandemic, we have remained relevant and proactive, supporting our members with clear and precise standards that promote certainty, predictability and security in the global supply chain. However, many challenges remain…”
For its part, Troy A. Miller, Senior Officer Performing the Duties of the Commissioner of CBP, said: “On behalf of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, we look forward to Saunders’ leadership of this important agency, where he is committed to balancing tradition and innovation, security and facilitation, national interest and global cooperation to improve global customs practices.”
No more Ian Saunders to be WCO's ninth Secretary GeneralHe will take office on January 1, 2024, becoming the third man from the Americas to hold the post, with a view to improving the management of cross-border trade. His term will end in 2028 and is open to renewal.WCO News) (CBP News)
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