The World Customs Organization (WCO) has achieved a historic milestone by successfully conducting its first fully digital document-based conference, setting a new standard for international collaboration in the post-pandemic era.
Pandemic Challenges Meet Digital Transformation
When COVID-19 disrupted traditional meeting formats in 2020, the WCO's Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) responded with an innovative solution: a completely virtual document-based conference held from July 3. Chaired by Australia's Matthew Duckworth, this pioneering approach demonstrated how international organizations can maintain critical operations during global crises.
The seven-week conference attracted nearly 140 participants from WCO member customs administrations, international organizations, and private sector representatives. Through the CLiKC! PTC platform, participants submitted over 390 comments and suggestions across 32 members, 7 observers, and the secretariat.
Key Achievements and Policy Advances
The conference successfully addressed nine agenda items covering crucial customs topics:
COVID-19 Response Framework
- Proposals for WCO's role in disaster management cycles
- Plans for reviewing existing tools and gap analysis
- Development of new tools for business continuity
- Creation of a best practices database
E-Commerce Governance
- Approval of three pending e-commerce package annexes
- Compilation of e-commerce case studies
- Establishment of framework update mechanisms
- Launch of capacity building programs
Strategic Forecasting
The PTC approved future work plans for strategic foresight and the proposed roadmap for the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan aligned with triennial environmental scanning.
Additional Significant Outcomes
The conference also produced several important documents and tools:
- New Passenger Facilitation and Control Working Group framework
- Revised terms for the Counterfeiting and Piracy group
- Transit practices compilation
- Final report from the Air Cargo Security Technical Expert Group
Future-Focused Adaptations
Recognizing the need for permanent solutions, the conference proposed establishing an ad hoc mini-group to draft new PTC Rules of Procedure (RoP) addressing special circumstances like pandemics. This group will work through the summer to identify necessary RoP modifications.
The WCO secretariat will evaluate lessons from this digital experiment to refine procedures for future meetings, acknowledging that the global situation may continue evolving.
A New Paradigm for International Cooperation
This landmark conference demonstrated that:
- Fully digital formats can effectively facilitate complex international discussions
- Digital tools like CLiKC! PTC enable robust participation and documentation
- Agenda setting must remain responsive to current global challenges
- Concrete, actionable outcomes remain achievable in virtual formats
The WCO's successful digital transition establishes a model for international organizations navigating the post-pandemic landscape, proving that neither geographical barriers nor health crises need to impede global cooperation and policy advancement.