Customs leaders from the Americas and Caribbean region met from May 13-15, 2024, in the city of Montego Bay, Jamaica, to participate in the XXVI Conference of General Directors of Customs of the Americas and the Caribbean and the IV Joint Forum Customs – Regional Group of the Private Sector of the Americas and the Caribbean, under the motto "Customs involved with their traditional and new partners with a purpose."
To this end, the conference was organized by the National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT) from Peru, in his capacity as Regional Vice-Presidency of the WCO for the Americas and the Caribbean, together with the Jamaica Customs Agency, host country of such important events.
The beginning of the meeting was especially relevant due to the participation of Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Mr. Ian Saunders, who reflected on the meaning of the WCO’s 2024 theme: “Customs engaging with traditional and new partners with purpose”, a slogan that challenges Customs to both reaffirm their long-standing partnerships and boldly forge new alliances.
On first day At the Conference, the regional Vice-Presidency shared the results of its 2022-2024 management, announcing 100% compliance with the actions of the Regional Strategic Plan as of June of this year. Likewise, the regional entities RILO South America and RILO Caribbean provided progress on their initiatives. Also, the WCO presented information on its capacity building initiatives for the region.
Participants recognized good practices shared by the Customs of Chile, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Brazil, Peru, the United States, and Argentina, to adapt to current and future challenges, through the use of disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data learning, the use of drones, among others, as well as the implementation of different strategic initiatives.
On this day, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the Superintendency of Tax Administration of Guatemala and the National Customs Authority of Panama to strengthen customs cooperation and technical assistance between both countries.
El The second day The CRDGA meeting began with a presentation by Mr. Ian Saunders on the WCO Modernization Plan, which received support from the region. Mr. Raju Boddu, Comptroller of Customs of Antigua and Barbuda, and Chairman of the WCO Finance Committee, also provided an update to the region on the work carried out.
Likewise, the Customs of Canada, Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, Jamaica, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic presented their initiatives to promote inclusion in Customs and trade, the adoption of technology, collection, combating illicit activities, and the modernization of Customs.
An important fact is that SUNAT – Peru was re-elected to continue leading the WCO Regional Vice-Presidency for the Americas and the Caribbean for the period 2024-2026, thanks to the support of the 33 countries in the region; marking the first time that this position has been re-elected in the Americas and the Caribbean.
Likewise, the National Customs Service of Chile was elected as a new member of the WCO Political Commission, representing the Americas and the Caribbean region for the period 2024-2025.
El last day, was given way to IV Joint Customs Forum – Regional Private Sector Group Representatives from CamTom AI, UNCTAD, PROCOMEX, DHL, International Road Transport Union, ALACAT, Global Alliance and the Customs of Argentina, Chile, Brazil, the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Colombia and Honduras addressed issues on public-private partnerships in technology, coordinated border management, ethics and transparency, green trade and voluntary compliance.
At the end of the meeting, the Letter of Intent was signed between the regional Vice Presidency and the Regional Group of the Private Sector of the Americas and the Caribbean on the implementation of technology for the facilitation and security of international trade, in order to strengthen the public-private commitment on this important issue.
El Salvador will host the XXVII Conference of General Directors of Customs of the Americas and the Caribbean, and the V Joint Customs Forum for the 2025, by agreement of the General Directors of Customs of the region.
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