Representatives of the eight WCO Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme Partner Administrations from the Americas and Caribbean Region came together on 17-18 April 2023 at the Ecuador Customs’ Headquarters in Guayaquil. The group aimed to review progress and activities relating to the findings of a first workshop with the same Members held in Brussels in September 2022. The initiative aims to develop communities of practice, or knowledge hubs, on various topics that would assist in mainstreaming integrity in day-to-day Customs operations and administration in the region.
This second workshop reviewed the progress of knowledge sharing in areas previously identified in September, such as transparency and communications for integrity and corruption risks in Customs procedures and automation. The Director General of Ecuador Customs emphasized in her opening remarks that sharing knowledge and experience is critical to combat corruption. This sentiment was echoed by the representatives of Canada, both as a Programme donor and a major contributor of expertise that has been enhancing the application of inclusive and gender-responsive regional and global frameworks to support Customs administrations in the fight against corruption.
The group, consisting of representatives from the Customs of Antigua & Barbuda, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica and Mexico, confirmed the importance of establishing a robust and trustworthy relationship with the private sector and highlighted the significance of active listening, transparency and open conversations in developing such a connection.
The WCO A-CIP Programme will continue to mobilize resources to help build more inclusive communities of practice for knowledge sharing on these topics.
For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.