The WCO conducted a Train-the-Trainer Sub-Regional workshop on Multilateral Environmental Agreements with emphasis on the Basel Convention for the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and Their Disposal and the Montreal Protocol Agreement for Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer from 18 to 22 November 2024, funded by the Government of Sweden through the Sida-WCO Trade Facilitation and Customs Modernisation Programme in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The workshop, which was held at the Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA) in Mombasa, Kenya, was a crucial step in developing a pool of trainers to ensure that Customs administrations have competent staff to deliver training at the national level for appropriate awareness and compliance with the two Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
During the five-day workshop, 14 participants from 12 Member administrations received an overview of MEAs technical topics, such as the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure, notification and movement document for the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, licensing requirements for import and export of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), phase out schedule and identification tools.
The training methodology part ensured the participants were updated on the approach for designing, developing and delivering training and facilitation techniques to enhance their role as expert trainers expected to contribute to Customs competencies development and performance.
Participants not only acquired knowledge but also had the opportunity to apply it practically. They delivered presentations on specific technical topics, demonstrating their ability to apply the core knowledge and facilitation skills acquired during the workshop.
The workshop concluded successfully with positive feedback from the participants, who greatly appreciated the information shared by the facilitators.
The Sida-WCO TFCM Programme is collaborating with the WCO Environment Programme and relevant international environment organizations to provide technical assistance for selected Customs administrations in the SADC and EAC regions to address the trade-related issues that adversely affect the environment while implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
For more information on the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, kindly contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.