Qatar accedes to the Revised Kyoto Convention

On 13 July 2009, the State of Qatar deposited its instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (revised Kyoto Convention) with the World Customs Organization.

Qatar is the first member state of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to accede to the revised Kyoto Convention. The current six GCC member states include the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya, said, "Qatar’s accession to the revised Kyoto Convention is welcomed by the international Customs community and the WCO Secretariat looks forward to early accession by the remaining GCC member states”.

The revised Kyoto Convention is regarded as a blueprint for effective and modern Customs procedures. It is recognized as a major trade facilitation instrument; some of its key elements include the application of simplified Customs procedures in a predictable and transparent environment, the maximum use of information technology, the utilization of risk management, a strong partnership with the trade and other stakeholders, and a readily accessible system of appeals.

Having entered into force on 3 February 2006, the Convention now has 63 Contracting Parties.