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Webinar series on the theme of “Customs Protecting Society through Vigilance and Commitment.”

Webinar series n°1: “Protecting Society: Customs’ Strategic Role in Disrupting Fentanyl Supply Chains”

START DATE 30 April 2026
END DATE 30 April 2026
LOCATION Virtual Session only

Description

 

Agenda   Biographies   Registration

 

Background

The WCO has dedicated 2026 to the theme “Customs Protecting Society through Vigilance and Commitment.” This timely focus highlights the vital role Customs administrations play in safeguarding communities worldwide and supporting Members in addressing emerging global risks.

This webinar series will provide a dynamic platform to promote the WCO’s annual theme while showcasing the WCO’s contributions, alongside its Members, to protecting society. It will also shed light on the complex and evolving challenges faced by Customs administrations and emphasize the importance of sustained cooperation, engagement, and support from stakeholders across the global supply chain. Through dialogue, sharing of trends and observations, participants will learn about Customs activities in addressing specific threats and challenges impacting the safety and security of society.

Five Key Themes of Public Interest

The virtual series will explore priority areas reflecting major and evolving risks to societal protection:

  • Combating drug trafficking, including synthetic opioids such as fentanyl (30 April)
  • Countering illicit financial flows and anti–money laundering (AML)
  • Strengthening supply chain integrity
  • Enhancing security against proliferation of weapons and materials of mass destruction, trafficking of small arms and explosives, and illicit diversion of dual use goods
  • Addressing environmental crime.

Together, these themes illustrate the multidimensional challenges faced by Customs and partner agencies in an increasingly complex global trade environment.

Audience

This event is open to the public and designed for a broad, cross-sector audience, including:
Customs and law enforcement authorities, policymakers, representatives of international and regional organizations, private-sector and logistics stakeholders, right holders, academic experts, and practitioners engaged in trade facilitation, compliance, and supply chain integrity.

Language: English and French (with simultaneous interpretation)

Duration: 13:00–15:00 (CET)

Format: Expert panel on a specific topic including representatives from WCO Secretariat, WCO Members and industry with Q&A.

First Webinar Date: 30 April 2026; future dates to be announced.

Registration: Public registration will open prior to each webinar session.