From 9 to 24 November 2022, several virtual training workshops on internal control were organized by the WCO Anti-Corruption & Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme in response to specific needs identified by Antigua and Barbuda, El Salvador and Honduras.

In this regard, Customs and Revenue officials holding key positions in areas such as Internal Affairs, Internal Audit, Information Technology, Modernization, Investigations, Corporate Affairs, Policy Planning, Human Resources and Enterprise Risk Management, attended the virtual training workshop facilitated by experts from the Secretariat of the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil (RFB), Spanish Tax Agency (AES) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP).

During six online sessions, WCO experts and Customs officials exchanged views and perspectives aiming at reinforcing their internal control function but also the importance of collective action.  In addition, pre-workshop assignments allowed to foster a constructive conversation around the strengths and areas for improvement with regard to their respective internal control function.

Antigua & Barbuda (CED) and WCO experts discussed integrity-related best practices, such as the use of integrity-based scenarios and case studies to help develop ethical decision-making amongst new recruits and serving officers.

A key lesson outlined by El Salvador Customs was that internal affairs officials need to have a specific recruitment process and special training and develop investigation skills to allow them to accomplish their mission: the search for the truth.

A takeaway emphasized by Honduras Customs (ADUANAS) was the importance of strong collaboration between all areas that have a stake, impact or influence on the promotion of integrity within an organization. One example is internal affairs and human resources working hand-in-hand at the recruitment and training phases.

During the closing remarks for each country, the WCO and the respective country acknowledged the importance of the WCO Revised Arusha Declaration, as well as the impact of collective action to combat corruption and promote integrity. Finally, all parties also shared their appreciation of Canada’s support to make these technical assistance and capacity building events possible.

For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org