The 24th session of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Integrity Sub-Committee (ISC) brought together WCO Members, global experts and practitioners from 3 – 4 February 2025 to explore innovative strategies and reinforce the commitment to integrity and anti-corruption in Customs administrations. The session was formally opened by the WCO Deputy Secretary General, Ricardo Treviño, who emphasized the critical role of integrity in safeguarding the reputation and efficiency of Customs operations globally.
A highlight of the session was the keynote from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for Customs administrations in managing corruption risks while striving for enhanced fiscal transparency and accountability.
The session also included a preliminary view of the outcomes of the ISC Work Programme for 2022-2025, showcasing significant progress in the development of new tools and guidelines for WCO members. Notably, the increased application of tools for measuring integrity and monitoring the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures was a central theme. Several WCO members shared their perspectives on the wider impact of the WCO Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme, highlighting how the Programme has helped foster a culture of integrity within Customs administrations worldwide.
An engaging dialogue session focused on the effective application of rewards and sanctions regimes to counter corruption in Customs, including perspectives from both Customs administrations and the private sector. The discussion emphasized the importance of balanced and transparent reward systems in promoting ethical conduct among Customs officers. The ISC also heard about innovative responses to break the links between crime and corruption. This agenda item explored how Customs administrations can adopt cutting-edge strategies and technologies to mitigate the influence of corruption in the trade and transport sectors.
Two impactful panel discussions were held during the session. The first focused on Data Governance to Mitigate Corruption Risks in Automation. WCO Members discussed how robust data management and advanced technologies can help reduce corruption opportunities in increasingly automated Customs processes. The second panel, Engaging Staff Unions to Build Cultures of Integrity in Customs, underscored the importance of partnership between Customs authorities and staff unions in nurturing environments of trust and accountability within Customs administrations.
In alignment with its ongoing modernization efforts, the WCO also presented its strategy regarding integrity in the context of planned modernization. This session highlighted how the WCO is integrating integrity-focused practices into its broader modernization agenda, ensuring that anti-corruption efforts remain a priority as Customs systems evolve.
At the end of the two-day session, Mr. Alvaro Fernandes from the Customs Administration of Spain and Mr. Michel Lafleur from the Canada Border Services Agency were re-elected as the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, respectively, for the next ISC session, scheduled for 2026.
The 24th session of the ISC provided a dynamic platform for sharing best practices, fostering collaboration, and strengthening the global commitment to integrity in Customs. The outcomes from this session will continue to support Customs administrations in their efforts to tackle corruption and promote ethical standards worldwide.