On 8 June 2023, at the invitation of Mr. Patchara Anuntasilpa, Director-General of Thai Customs and 2023’s Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Directors-General of Customs Meeting, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), participated in the 12th ASEAN - WCO Consultation.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Mikuriya thanked the 10 ASEAN Customs administrations for their long-standing relationship and friendship with the WCO. He explained the important matters to be discussed in the upcoming WCO Council sessions, including the progress in data strategy. In responding to the interests expressed by the participants, Dr. Mikuriya explained the current WCO work on Green Customs, and appreciated the ASEAN Members’ contribution to the Asia-Pacific Plastic Waste Project (APPWP). The Head of the ROCB A/P shared the results of 2022 capacity building in the Asia/Pacific region. Representing the participants, Mrs. Kitjaluck Srinuchsart, Deputy Director-General of Thai Customs in her capacity as Co-Chair of the 12th ASEAN - WCO Consultation, expressed her appreciation to the WCO and ROCB A/P for the capacity building support in support of Customs reform and regional integration.
Dr. Mikuriya took this opportunity to visit the Port Control Unit (PCU) at the Laem Chabang Port. He was briefed of the good performance of the PCU by using intelligence and technology, supported by UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme.
On 9 June, Dr. Mikuriya visited the Thai Customs Academy, designated as the WCO Regional Training Centre last year, and listened to the testimony by young Thai Customs officers who expressed their thanks to the WCO Scholarship, Career Development and other WCO Programmes for providing them an opportunity to gain leadership and management skills, in addition to Customs domain knowledge. Recalling the long cooperation of the Secretariat with the Thai Customs, Dr. Mikuriya spoke about the importance of putting human resource development at the centre of Customs modernization, and hence the significance of nurturing the next generation.
Dr. Mikuriya also made a short visit to the ROCB office, hosted by Thai Customs and seconded by several regional Members, to express his thanks to their contribution.