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Capacity Building > Meetings and Missions > New Regional Office for Capacity Building Office in Baku
July 2009During its June 2009 annual sessions that took place in Brussels, the WCO Council adopted the decision taken at the Europe Regional Heads of Customs Conference which was held in Bergen (Norway) from 18 to 19 May 2009 on the establishment of its Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) in Baku (Azerbaijan).
This was the successful conclusion of a long-term process initiated and led by Ireland, the Europe Regional Vice Chair, in collaboration with the WCO Secretariat and graciously supported by Azerbaijan’s Customs administration.
In his presentation in Bergen, the Director General of Azerbaijan Customs, Mr. Aliyev, stressed his administration’s commitment to the establishment of the ROCB in Baku and requested support for the initiative. Mr. Aliyev pointed out that the initiative was fully supported by the President and government of Azerbaijan.
Based on the positive decision of the Conference, the Regional Vice Chair and the WCO Secretariat jointly drafted the ROCB Implementation Plan in coordination with the Customs administration of Azerbaijan. The overall goal of the document is to have the new ROCB in Baku up and running as soon as possible. Luxembourg, the newly elected Regional Vice-Chair for Europe is expected to continue leading this project.
Mr. Lars Karlsson, the WCO Director of Capacity Building, said,"I am very pleased with the European proposal to locate ROCB Europein Baku, and I am also pleased that this decision was adopted by the WCO Council. Furthermore, I am delighted to hear that the European region has agreed to make the new ROCB operational as soon as possible. This 6th and final ROCB will be a fundamental pillar for capacity building in the WCO’s biggest region. I should like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Azerbaijanfor their decision to host this important office. In fact, the Chairman of the Customs Control Committee in Azerbaijan, Mr. Aliyev, has always been a spokesperson for Customs development and modernization and his work in building the business case for locating the ROCB in Bakushows strong leadership. I would also like to thank Ireland, in their capacity as Vice Chair for Europe, for making this historical event possible. I can assure the Europeregion that the Secretariat will do its utmost to support the implementation process which we hope will be accomplished with the minimum possible delay. This is a great day for the WCO".
