At the invitation of Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (SAT), WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica participated in the AEO Forum held in Ciudad de Juarez on 10 and 11 July 2013. The AEO Forum was attended by representatives from both the public and the private sector, and also included participants from outside Mexico. Deputy Secretary General Mujica took part in the opening panel along with the Director General of Mexican Customs, Alejandro Chacón, and Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection (US CBP), Thomas Winkowski. The main themes discussed were the importance of the AEO and international initiatives, the role of the private sector, and the impact of AEO in promoting global trade and competitiveness.

During his visit to Mexico, the Deputy Secretary General also held working meetings with Aristóteles Núñez, Head of SAT, and with the management teams of the General Administration for Customs and the General Administration for International Trade Audits. The main topics discussed were the latest developments in the WCO’s Strategic Plan, the Revised Kyoto Convention, and the various initiatives Mexican Customs is implementing to further continue its modernization process. Mr. Mujica also visited several border crossing points with the United States, the Center for Electronic Data Processing, and the Customs Academy.