The World Customs Organization (WCO) has officially launched the ACE (Accredited Experts) Expert Portal, a digital platform designed to create a global network of customs experts and enhance the efficiency of capacity-building initiatives. Funded by the Korea Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF-KOREA), this initiative represents a significant step in transforming customs capacity building from theoretical concepts to practical implementation.
ACE Expert Portal: A New Engine for WCO Capacity Building
The ACE Expert Portal serves as a centralized platform with three primary objectives:
- Optimizing expert management: The platform enables more efficient coordination of global expert resources, ensuring rapid deployment of appropriate specialists for capacity-building activities.
- Empowering professional development: Experts can manage their profiles, showcase skills and experience, and access enhanced career opportunities while contributing to global customs development.
- Enhancing program effectiveness: The portal facilitates better understanding of member needs, allowing for more targeted capacity-building programs that address real-world challenges.
People-Centric Approach: The Core Philosophy
The WCO maintains a human-centered philosophy, placing member states and their personnel at the heart of all initiatives. The ACE Expert Portal embodies this approach through:
- Creating a global knowledge-sharing network of customs professionals
- Facilitating transfer of expertise and best practices
- Supporting sustainable, member-driven development rather than temporary assistance
The Critical Role of ACE Experts
WCO-accredited experts serve as the cornerstone of capacity-building efforts. These professionals combine deep technical knowledge with practical experience and cross-cultural communication skills. The WCO expects experts to:
- Continuously update their professional competencies
- Actively participate in capacity-building activities
- Adhere to WCO ethical standards and values
Platform Functionality and Access Management
The portal features tailored access levels and functionality for different user groups:
- Expert profiles: Customizable professional pages displaying qualifications, experience, and language skills
- National representatives: Access to view their country's expert participation data
- Regional offices: Access to regional statistics for targeted program development
Strategic Support from CCF-KOREA
The successful implementation of the ACE Expert Portal was made possible through substantial funding from CCF-KOREA, which has consistently supported WCO capacity-building initiatives.
Future Vision: Building Talent-Driven Customs Administration
The launch of the ACE Expert Portal marks a significant milestone in the WCO's capacity-building strategy. The organization plans to expand the expert network and enhance portal functionality to create more sustainable, effective customs administrations worldwide. This initiative aims to foster greater collaboration among members in addressing global trade challenges while improving trade security and facilitation.