The 82nd WCO Fellowship Programme, intended for English-speakers, was launched on Monday 21 September 2020. Although the programme was opened remotely, Mr. Taeil Kang, Director Capacity Building, welcomed the 16 Fellows very warmly during his opening address. This introduction serves as a prelude to a series of conferences given by WCO experts and to an in-depth study on a technical subject of their choice, which they will prepare under the supervision and guidance of a WCO tutor. This research work will include recommendations to their respective administrations for possible subsequent implementation.

This Programme forms part of the WCO’s initiatives to develop the management capacities of Member administrations in support of Customs Reform and Modernization programmes. It is designed to provide promising young managers from Member administrations with access to and further familiarization with WCO and international standards, tools and instruments, but also with training in supervisory and management techniques, so as to help them carry out reform and modernization within their respective administrations in a dynamic and sustainable manner.

In view of the COVID-19 situation, new delivery arrangements have been designed, following a blended learning approach (combining online and face-to-face sessions). This first component, with a 3-week duration, will be delivered entirely remotely. As for the other components (i.e. the Leadership and Management Development workshop and the field study trip within a partner administration), they will be delivered in a face-to-face mode and scheduled as soon as health and travel restrictions allow.

The English-speaking Fellowship Programme is funded by the Customs Administrations of Japan and China and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Korea.

List of countries participating in the 82nd Fellowship Programme: Armenia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cameroon, Gambia, Georgia, Iran, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mongolia, Nigeria, Philippines, Tanzania and Thailand.