- WCO’s flagship annual event draws well in excess of 1,500 participants from over 100 countries across its three-days.
- The pursuit of greater Customs agility in a complex world shapes insightful and groundbreaking panel discussions, keynote addresses and tech talks.
- Final day hears how successful transformation depends not only on technology adoption, but also on governance, skills, trust and sustained partnership.
Friday 30 January 2026 marked the end of the three-day World Customs Organization Technology Conference and Exhibition, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, under the theme “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation.” The WCO’s flagship event brought together Customs administrations and stakeholders from across the globe to examine how technology can strengthen border security while enabling seamless and efficient trade.
Closing three days of Customs connections
In his closing speech, WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, addressed the international audience representing the global Customs community, saying: “In a complex and dynamic environment in which the challenges can loom large, the best path forward depends on a sense of shared responsibility and a willingness to work together to guide appropriate investments, the development and deployment of the right tools, and adjustments or approach as lessons are learned. It entails planning that ensures that the technologies are employed by people who are prepared to take optimal advantage of the opportunities presented.”
He also thanked all those who contributed to the success of the event, including speakers, delegates, sponsors and exhibitors, and highlighted the strong spirit of collaboration demonstrated throughout the Conference. The closing session of the 3-day event was also addressed by Her Excellency Alia Mohammed Juma Al Marmoom, Executive Director of Customs Affairs Sector of UAE Customs.
Day three - Innovating for the Future of Customs
On day three, discussions highlighted how innovation is enabling Customs to become more agile, resilient and data-driven, while continuing to deliver on its core mission of facilitation, security and innovation.
Key themes included the role of modern non-intrusive inspection capabilities, integrated approaches to risk management, and the growing use of cloud computing and data analytics to support faster decision-making and stronger operational agility.
The Conference also reaffirmed the importance of interoperability and trusted data exchange, including through WCO standards such as the WCO Data Model and the Unified File Format (UFF), to strengthen cooperation and improve end-to-end visibility across borders.
The deliberations also confirmed the value and necessity of multi-stakeholder engagement, as complex challenges at the border can best be addressed through collective expertise, resources and action. Sessions devoted to digital pathways, trusted trade ecosystems, and cross-border e-commerce further demonstrated the importance of collaboration between Customs administrations, international partners and the private sector.
Hackathon - Addressing real Customs challenges
Innovation in action was showcased through the Conference hackathon, where participants presented practical prototypes addressing real Customs challenges. Three winners were announced during the closing session and reviewed the following awards from the WCO Secretary General:
- Jury Prize for AD Ports Digital
- Audience Prize for Dhabi71