Today, the WCO joins the United Nations in marking International Anti-Corruption Day under the theme: “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”. As the voice of the Customs community, the WCO reaffirms that strengthening integrity and the fight against corruption is critical for Customs administrations worldwide, requiring sustained efforts, commitment and vigilance.  

Customs administrations play a central role in safeguarding borders, facilitating legitimate trade, and ensuring the fair collection of revenue. However, high volumes of transactions, relative autonomy in decision-making, close interaction with economic operators, and the growing threat of organized crime make Customs officers vulnerable to corruption risks. These vulnerabilities, if left unaddressed, can undermine economic development, weaken public trust and give criminal networks an entry point into border operations. 

International Anti-Corruption Day is an occasion to highlight that the efforts of Customs administrations to bolster institutional integrity are critical in shaping success and building public trust. It is also an opportunity to recognize the important role that the next generation of Customs officers can play by shaping transparent, accountable and modern border management systems. 

Supporting integrity in Customs through practical tools and technical assistance

For decades, the WCO has supported its Members in strengthening integrity frameworks and building modern, accountable institutions. This includes the development of guidance material, diagnostic tools, capacity-building programmes and peer learning opportunities that help administrations move from commitments to tangible action. 

The WCO’s work is rooted in the Revised Arusha Declaration, the global blueprint for integrity in Customs. Through this framework, Members are encouraged to adopt comprehensive strategies encompassing leadership, transparency, internal controls, automation, human resource management, and partnership with the private sector. 

Uniting with Youth Against Corruption

This year’s International Anti-Corruption Day theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity”, emphasizes the need to listen to young people’s voices, support their leadership and ensure they are given a meaningful seat at the table. 

Developing and sustaining integrity in Customs requires more than robust procedures and systems. It also calls for the building of institutions that promote staff engagement and consultation, and that foster a culture that inspires, educates and empowers the next generation. 

Young professionals bring fresh perspectives, strong digital skills and a deep understanding of the societal expectations surrounding transparency and accountability. Consulting them and allowing them to participate in an administration’s governance strengthens organizational resilience. 

WCO Members have shown themselves to be committed to these objectives. Practical measures adopted by Customs administrations include enabling young people to gain initial work experience through internships, supporting newly recruited officers’ professional growth through mentoring, and creating opportunities for staff across departments and generations to discuss specific issues with a view to creating and sharing knowledge. 

Many Customs administrations have also established next-generation networks (NGNs), which are dynamic platforms designed by and for young Customs officers. These networks bring together motivated and innovative staff from a wide range of units, functions and regions within their administrations. Their purpose is to encourage innovation, strengthen leadership capacities and provide a structured framework to engage younger staff in shaping institutional development. 

NGNs serve as catalysts for a culture of integrity. They create spaces where young Customs professionals can exchange ideas, discuss challenges and collaborate on initiatives that promote transparency and ethical behaviour. Activities coordinated through NGNs often include mentoring programmes, leadership development workshops, technical exchanges, and forums that connect emerging professionals with senior management. 

A-CIP Programme Phase I Review (2019-2025)

To mark International Anti-Corruption Day 2025, today the WCO is also releasing a report which highlights the achievements of the WCO Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme since its inception in 2019. 

With initial financing from Norway and additional funding from Canada, as well as in-kind support in the form of expertise and advice from more than 40 WCO Member administrations, the A-CIP Programme team has developed specific project plans with 25 Customs administrations, as well as guidance material, training courses and tools which are available to all WCO Members. 

The achievements highlighted in the 2019-2025 review reflect measurable progress: stronger institutional capacities, positive shifts in the perceptions and behaviour of Customs officials and private sector stakeholders, and the development of sustainable mechanisms to monitor and promote integrity. They are a testament to the dedication of participating administrations and the value of collaborative, evidence-based approaches to reform. 

Cooperation with partner administrations and donors over the past seven years has also enabled the WCO A-CIP Programme team to draw some important conclusions. Among these is the fact that the work areas highlighted in the WCO Revised Arusha Declaration are still very relevant, along with the benefits of data and performance measurement, collective action, and mainstreaming integrity within the day-to-day operations of Customs administrations. In addition, the Programme has provided clear evidence that promoting and sustaining integrity demands ongoing innovation and adaptability, and has demonstrated the value of Customs administrations sharing their best practice with each other through the WCO’s forums and communication tools.

Supporting sustained efforts

Creating a culture of integrity requires sustained efforts, and the WCO remains committed to supporting Customs administrations’ aspirations of upholding and enhancing their code of ethics.

The WCO A-CIP Programme will enter a second phase in 2026, thanks to renewed funding from Norway. This will enable the WCO to continue developing tools and providing technical assistance to combat corruption and promote integrity, with the focus being placed on weaving integrity into the very fabric of Customs, as well as on the use of data and performance measurement.