At the invitation of the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), representatives of Bahrain Customs (Vice Chair), the WCO Secretariat, Saudi Customs and Libya Customs held the second meeting of the regional working group on the development and review of the regional strategy. The meeting was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 2 to 4 November 2014.

The participants were given an overview by the ROCB and the WCO Secretariat of strategic regional developments, including recent and upcoming activities in the MENA region in the area of Capacity Building and modernization. They discussed the capacity building activity plan for the next year with a particular focus on planning, delivery and the responsibilities of the various structures.

Discussions also focused on resource mobilization and the necessity to establish a regional fund for capacity building activities in the MENA region. Participants agreed to hold a workshop to enhance the knowledge and skills of the working group in preparation for a regional donors conference. The group also recognized the generous contribution made by Abu Dhabi Customs, Kuwait Customs, Qatar Customs and Saudi Customs to support capacity building in the current financial year.

Finally, the regional working group managed to develop recommendations and a draft regional strategic plan for the next Regional Conference of Directors General that will take place in Cairo, Egypt from 19 to 21 January 2015.