The WCO-Japan Career Development Programme for 2020-2021 commenced on Monday 12 October 2020. The Programme was launched by the WCO in 2009 in cooperation with Japan Customs. It provides a unique opportunity for selected candidates to work at the WCO Secretariat in the wide array of technical areas covered.  The Programme aims at enabling participants to obtain knowledge, skills and international work experience; developing and enhancing networks between WCO Members and the WCO Secretariat; supporting and assisting the WCO Secretariat in its mission and work; and developing a pool of highly competent Customs experts in WCO Member administrations.  The Programme has served to promote the participation of WCO Members in various WCO activities, particularly in Arabic, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish speaking countries where neither of the two official WCO languages is widely spoken. 

Ten Customs officials – from Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jordan, Nepal, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Zambia - have started their term with the WCO Secretariat.  For the next 9 months they will be involved in WCO activities in various professional capacities.  Participants will contribute to vital WCO projects and activities during their term at the WCO.

During a virtual meeting, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya welcomed the selected participants to the WCO and expressed his expectation that they will increase their knowledge, enhance their skills, gain international work experience and enrich their professional networks. He wished them every success in this important Programme.