Not to be missed!
Capacity Building
Statement
Customs administrations around the world play a vitally important role in the implementation of a range of critically important government policies, and contribute to the achievement of a number of national development objectives. Without an efficient and effective national Customs administration, governments will not be able to meet their policy objectives in respect to revenue collection, trade facilitation, trade statistics, and the protection of society from a range of threats to national security.
Well-designed and effectively targeted capacity building investments focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Customs administrations can deliver significant dividends for governments and donors alike, and allow developing countries to take advantage of the many development opportunities provided by the expanding global trading system.
Many previous capacity building efforts have, however, failed to meet their stated objectives. In order to improve the quality and relevance of Customs capacity-building initiatives, governments, Customs administrations, donors and all sections of the international Customs community need to draw lessons from the successes and failures of the past and commit to a range of new approaches and practical strategies.
The WCO's Customs Capacity Building Strategy is designed to provide a pragmatic response to identifying and addressing the capacity building needs of Customs administrations in the developing world. Likewise, the WCO's internationally agreed conventions, instruments and best-practice approaches provide the building blocks necessary for sound Customs administration.
The much-needed road map is therefore now available for undertaking successful capacity-building initiatives in Customs. It is now up to all stakeholders to commit themselves to the practical implementation of the principles and suggested actions contained in this strategy.
The goals
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To engage at a political level to promote the role of Customs as a key element of Government and encourage/support reform projects which develop sustainable national and regional Customs co-ordination mechanisms with the capacity to :
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Collect revenue;
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Provide security and social protection;
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Facilitate trade;
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Collect accurate economic data;
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to a level which reflects Government policy and its ability to provide sustainable development.
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To encourage and support Directors General in the modernization of their Customs administrations to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.
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To promote Customs services with high levels of integrity.
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To co-ordinate and minimize the duplication of development effort in both the Secretariat and Member administrations.
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To look creatively for funding from donors and the commercial sector to support strategic capacity building work.
The Programmes
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Columbus Programme
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Training
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Integrity
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PICARD
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UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme
