WCO Adds Spanish Arabic to Professional Standards for Global Customs

The World Customs Organization (WCO) announced the addition of Spanish and Arabic versions to its PICARD Professional Standards, aiming to enhance the professional capabilities of customs officers worldwide and facilitate international trade. The WCO expressed gratitude to the University of Costa Rica and the Saudi Customs for their translation support. The WCO will continue to promote the standards to support global customs capacity building initiatives. This expansion ensures wider accessibility and implementation of best practices in customs administration across diverse linguistic regions.

Picture a customs officer from Latin America mastering international customs expertise in their native Spanish, or a Middle Eastern customs professional seamlessly accessing the latest industry standards in Arabic. This vision is now becoming reality through the World Customs Organization's (WCO) latest initiative.

The WCO has announced the release of Spanish and Arabic versions of its PICARD Professional Standards, developed in collaboration with the International Network of Customs Universities (INCU). This strategic move aims to enhance global customs competencies and facilitate safer, more efficient international trade.

The PICARD framework establishes comprehensive competency benchmarks for customs professionals across critical domains including customs administration, compliance, and trade facilitation. Serving as a universal reference, these standards help customs agencies worldwide improve workforce capabilities and operational performance.

The new language editions significantly expand the standards' global reach, making them accessible to broader regions and populations. The WCO expressed gratitude to the University of Costa Rica and Saudi Customs for providing high-quality translation services that support international customs cooperation and capacity building.

"Language barriers have long challenged international collaboration," stated the WCO Secretary General. "By offering PICARD Standards in Spanish and Arabic, we're removing obstacles to ensure more customs professionals can utilize these vital resources. This advancement will elevate global customs expertise and promote more secure, efficient international trade."

The WCO confirms ongoing commitment to developing the PICARD Professional Standards, with plans to explore additional language adaptations to meet diverse regional needs and strengthen global customs capabilities.

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