Edition 2 – Building Capacity for Lasting Change
The WCO is pleased to present the second edition of our newsletter to share the news, insights and updates that showcase how the WCO brings Customs together for a safer, more prosperous and sustainable world.
In this edition we focus on one of the core functions of the WCO’s mission – to build capacity to foster an environment that facilitates legitimate trade, ensures fair revenue collections and protects society.
Happy reading!
Representatives of Customs administrations, international organizations, academia and the private sector gathered at WCO Headquarters in Brussels from 25 to 27 February 2026 for the 17th Session of the Capacity Building Committee.
WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders set the scene in his keynote address stating that “the conditions facing Customs, that capacity building is intended to help administrations address, are unrelenting. Growing trade volumes, increasing supply chain complexity, uncompromising demands from consumers and stakeholders, and continued abuse of the system by illicit actors – none of these are things that Customs can avoid dealing with. Capacity-building assistance, however, helps the community manage these very serious challenges.”
Read more about the discussions held under the theme “The Impact Imperative: Exploring Ways to Measure and Communicate Capacity-Building Success”.
WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders opens the 17th session of the Capacity Building Committee in Brussels, Belgium. Attendees explore and exchange information on various capacity building projects.
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The WCO created a Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM) that outlines the methodology that Customs Administrations can use to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of all Customs competencies. Members are using PMM as a strategic asset that supports modernization, enhances performance and improves service delivery across the Customs Administration. The PMM is seen as an essential tool for the global Customs community to strengthen evidence-based performance measurement.
To support Members, the WCO developed KPIs, tools and guidelines to support the development and reporting on PMM initiatives.
In December 2025, during the last meeting of the Performance Measurement Mechanism Project Team (PMMPT), the WCO launched the second cycle of its PMM and invited its Members to participate in the self-assessment phase. This self-assessment phase aims to empower Customs administrations to enhance their strategic decision-making by providing them with a comprehensive and standardized assessment framework, covering the full spectrum of Customs competencies. All WCO Members are invited to actively participate in the self-assessment phase of this second cycle by submitting their data via the PMM Platform.
To learn more, visit the WCO’s PMM Platform and check out the WCO’s introductory video.
PMM | Home
The WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism on YouTube
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Now in its second phase, the SECO–WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP-II) supports Customs administrations in implementing sustainable trade facilitation reforms aligned with international standards. Funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the World Customs Organization (WCO), the programme provides targeted capacity building, technical assistance, and peer-to-peer collaboration to strengthen Customs systems and improve border management. Currently active in Colombia, El Salvador, Moldova, Morocco, Peru, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan, the programme works closely with national authorities and stakeholders to enhance Customs procedures, supply chain integrity, risk management, data governance, and digital interoperability in line with international standards set by the WCO.
GTFP Phase II Beneficiaries
Through workshops, technical missions, and regional exchanges, GTFP-II supports Members in improving operational efficiency, strengthening Customs–business partnerships, and adopting data-driven and coordinated border management approaches. These efforts ultimately contribute to more transparent, predictable, and efficient trade processes, benefiting governments, businesses, and economies by facilitating legitimate trade, improving compliance, and supporting sustainable economic growth.
To learn more about the GTFP, visit the programme page.
WCO-SECO GTFP-II Missions and workshops to advance trade facilitation
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WCO Members Celebrate International Customs Day 2026
On 26 January, Customs administrations worldwide proudly celebrated International Customs Day. This year’s WCO theme — “Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment” — invited the Customs community to shine a spotlight on the crucial role Customs’ play in the safety and well-being of societies and on the dedicated professionals who support this mission. From awareness campaigns to ceremonies honouring frontline officers, each WCO Member administration shared its own way of celebrating this special day.
International Customs Day commemorates the inaugural meeting, in 1953, of the Customs Cooperation Council (now WCO).
See Members’ celebrations
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The WCO will soon be launching a series of webinars that will explore priority areas reflecting major and evolving risks to societal protection and the multidimensional challenges faced by Customs and partner agencies in an increasingly complex global trade environment.
Topics will focus on:
- Combating drug trafficking, including synthetic opioids such as fentanyl (30 April – registration information coming soon!)
- Countering illicit financial flows and anti–money laundering
- Strengthening supply chain integrity
- Enhancing security – focusing on trafficking in weapons, materials of mass destruction and small arms and explosives
- Addressing environmental crime
Registration will be open to all – details will be posted on the WCO website and social media channels in the coming days.
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Borders divide, Customs connects.