On 28 October 2021, the Deputy Secretary General (DSG) of the WCO, Mr. Ricardo Treviño Chapa, took part in the launch of the Chilean Institute of International Trade, which was held virtually. He participated in a Panel discussion on “Challenges and Perspectives for the Multilateral International Trade System”, alongside WTO Deputy Director General Ms. Anabel González, and Mr. Mario Matus, former Deputy Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
The aim of this event was to discuss the challenges now facing the multilateral trade system, taking into consideration the new world scenario characterized by protectionist trends, climate change, immigration, and distrust of institutions, among others matters, in Latin America.
The Deputy Secretary General outlined the various measures taken by the WCO and its Members to facilitate and secure the cross-border movement of medicines, vaccines and related supplies and equipment, including vaccine manufacturing inputs and components, in implementation of the December 2020 WCO Council Resolution on the Role of Customs in facilitating the cross-border movement of situationally critical medicines and vaccines, and in accordance with the WCO COVID-19 Action Plan.
During the Panel discussion, he also mentioned that the WCO maintains close collaborative relations with economic operators and with the private sector, in particular through the Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG), which helps to define and identify bottlenecks.