2011 IATA World Cargo Symposium

Istanbul, 8-11 March 2011

Report

WCO Deputy Secretary General, Sergio Mujica, attended the 2011 IATA World Cargo Symposium in Istanbul from 8-11 March that hosted over 1,000 delegates from the international air transport industry as well as representatives from government regulators and software solution providers.

Mr. Mujica participated in the Opening Plenary where leading experts each listed their four major strategic imperatives facing global air cargo. Security was the main priority and others included partnership, harmonization of controls and measures, e-commerce, and mutual recognition of regulated agent/known consignor and AEO programmes.

The symposium is a high profile industry event and an opportunity for leading players in international air cargo to address current challenges and opportunities, and the WCO’s presence is highly valued by IATA. It also provides an excellent platform for the WCO to inform important sectors of the global cargo supply chain about WCO standards and instruments as well as its strategic direction and partnership approach.

IATA members agree that Customs is an indispensable part of the collaborative effort to thwart international terrorism and other threats to the security of the international air supply chain.