WCO session at this year’s WTO Public Forum was moderated by CCES CEO, Prof David Widdowson.

At this year’s WTO Public Forum, the World Customs Organization session, held on 29 September 2021, was moderated by Centre for Customs and Excise Studies CEO, Professor David Widdowson. 

The session provided participants with a clear perspective of how Customs, which is uniquely positioned and mandated at international borders, was contributing to the establishment of sustainable supply chains in the context of the current pandemic. 

The session’s highly experienced and qualified panellists were: 

Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, 

Ms. Tayra Ivonne Barsallo, Director General of the National       Customs Authority of Panama, 

Ms. Carol West, Secretary of the International Federation of       Customs Brokers Associations, and 

Mr. Aik Hoe Lim, Director, Trade and Environment at the             World Trade Organization. 

The panellists shared their views on what customs administrations can do to help bolster supply chain recovery, renewal, and resilience to achieve international supply chain sustainability – particularly in light of the recent massive growth in e-commerce. Issues included the importance of collaboration, harnessing technology and putting 'people' at the centre of the renewal process; and the initiatives, programs and tools that were being provided by the WCO to build customs capacity.