At the invitation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, WCO Secretary General, spoke at the high-level segment of the Fourteenth United Nations (UN) Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The Congress was held in Kyoto, Japan, from 7 to 9 March 2021.

During his intervention, Secretary General Mikuriya underlined the important contribution made by Customs to crime prevention and criminal justice, and especially against illicit trade by acting as the “first line of defence” at borders.

Dr. Mikuriya described the WCO’s recent efforts to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing guidance to Customs administrations in support of speedy clearance of medicines, vaccines and medical supplies, while also coordinating Operation STOP to protect citizens from attempts by criminal organizations to exploit supply chains. Going forward, he emphasized the WCO’s approach based on collaboration with partners and on greater use of digital technology.

Secretary General Mikuriya was given the opportunity to meet with Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly, UNODC Executive Director, to explore ways of enhancing cooperation between the two Organizations in various areas such as the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP), AIRCOP Project and other areas of mutual interest. 

The UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice adopted the Kyoto Declaration on advancing crime prevention, criminal justice and rule of law: towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.