As global trade complexity intensifies, customs administrations face mounting challenges: how to ensure trade security and compliance while facilitating efficient cross-border flows? The World Customs Organization (WCO) is taking proactive steps to enhance risk management capabilities, helping member customs agencies address this critical challenge.
With generous funding from the Japan Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF-Japan), the WCO collaborated with Japan Customs to successfully conduct a Risk Management (RM) pre-certification workshop for Technical and Operational Advisors (TOA) from the Americas and Caribbean region. The event took place in Guatemala City from June 12-16, 2023, with participation from 12 customs officers representing 10 regional customs administrations.
Strategic Capacity Building
This workshop forms a crucial component of the WCO's strategic initiative to expand its pool of experts, enabling prompt responses to member requests for risk management support. By cultivating more specialists with professional knowledge and skills, the WCO can better provide technical assistance to help members enhance their risk management capabilities and effectively address emerging challenges.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. Werner Ovalle Ramirez, Director General of Guatemala Customs, warmly welcomed participants and emphasized the growing importance of regional experts in supporting WCO members' technical needs. The use of Spanish alongside the WCO's official languages (English and French) added significant value to the knowledge-sharing process.
Comprehensive Skills Assessment
The five-day workshop thoroughly evaluated participants' competencies across multiple dimensions: technical knowledge application, presentation and facilitation skills, communication and advisory capabilities, understanding of key WCO tools and instruments, and teamwork aptitude. Many participants demonstrated strong knowledge, technical skills, and most importantly, enthusiasm to contribute to future WCO capacity-building initiatives.
Outstanding performers will advance to the next certification phase—field missions. Those completing the certification process will join the WCO's expert roster, providing technical assistance to members seeking risk management support. This hands-on experience will allow them to apply their knowledge to practical customs challenges and contribute to global risk management enhancement.
Core Pillar of Modern Customs
Risk management serves as a fundamental pillar of contemporary customs operations, extending beyond risk identification to developing effective mitigation strategies. A robust risk management system helps customs optimize resource allocation, improve operational efficiency, and ensure trade security and compliance.
The workshop's success marks significant progress in strengthening risk management capabilities across the Americas and Caribbean region. By developing qualified experts, the WCO can better support regional customs administrations in navigating increasingly complex trade environments while contributing to global trade security and prosperity.
Key Workshop Outcomes
- Professional Development: Participants gained systematic training in risk management principles and practical applications.
- Knowledge Exchange: Customs officers from diverse countries shared risk management experiences and best practices.
- Expert Network Expansion: The certification process enlarges the WCO's specialist pool for timely technical support.
- Regional Cooperation: Enhanced collaboration among regional customs administrations to address shared challenges.
- Modernization Drive: Advanced risk management capabilities support broader customs modernization efforts.
The WCO continues promoting advanced customs management concepts globally. Through close collaboration with members, it contributes significantly to secure and prosperous international trade. Future efforts will prioritize developing countries' capacity-building needs for better integration into global trade systems.
The workshop's success was made possible through CCF-Japan's longstanding support. The WCO expresses sincere appreciation for this partnership. Beyond workshops, the WCO supports members through international standards development, technical assistance programs, training initiatives, and facilitating information exchange on best practices.
As global trade dynamics evolve, risk management's importance will continue growing. The WCO remains committed to strengthening risk management capabilities worldwide, supporting sustainable trade development through innovative approaches and enhanced cooperation with all stakeholders.