International Conference on the tripartite Customs Union between Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia

Belarus, 21-22 September 2011

Report

At the invitation of Aleksandr Shpilevski, the Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus, WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya, visited Minsk, Belarus from 21-22 September 2011 to attend the International Conference on the tripartite Customs Union between Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. Customs representatives from neighbouring countries as well as members of business and academia gathered to review the progress made in regional integration and its potential in bringing stability and prosperity to the region.

Secretary General Mikuriya congratulated Belarus Customs on the progress that had been made over the past 20 years since its creation and the further steps that had been taken to construct the Customs Union. As the Customs Union decided to base its procedures on WCO standards, Belarus adopted the WCO Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) earlier this year, and now all three member countries are Contracting Parties to the RKC. The member countries are also exploring electronic exchange of information with the EU and other neighbouring countries to ensure connectivity at borders.

The conference also showed the relevance of research-based Customs development and a partnership with academia, which is in line with this year's WCO theme: “Knowledge, a catalyst for Customs Excellence”.

Secretary General Mikuriya also conducted bilateral meetings with the Directors General of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia to strengthen cooperation with the Customs Union.