At the invitation of Mr. Alwyn Nicely, Permanent Secretary of CCLEC, WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica attended the 39th CCLEC Conference held in Miami, United States, from 23 to 25 May. Twenty-six Heads of Customs and senior delegates participated in the Conference, as well as representatives of several regional and global international organizations. The meeting was organized under the theme “Digital partnerships in a connected world”.
WCO Deputy Secretary General Mujica made a keynote address at the opening of the Conference, highlighting the key priorities the WCO is currently working on, with special focus on digital Customs and data analysis, which is the WCO theme for the year 2017. Mr. Mujica also recognized CCLEC as a key partner for the WCO in its efforts to modernize Customs administrations in the Caribbean region, and invited CCLEC Members which have not yet joined the WCO to do so.
CCLEC Permanent Secretary Alwyn Nicely reported on the main activities developed by CCLEC over the past year, particularly in the area of engagement with key stakeholders, IT and capacity building. The Conference also agreed on the main strategic priorities for CCLEC, including ratification of its Treaty by 2018; improving the automated Customs clearance service provided to yacht operators; data sharing; and the development of a strategic threat assessment for the region.