The World Customs Organization (WCO), with the financial support of the Customs Cooperation Fund – Korea (CCF-K), successfully concluded the third and final edition of the Small Island Economies (SIEs) Scholarship Programme. This training was held from September to December 2025 at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Recognizing both the important role SIEs play in global trade and their specificities, the WCO Guidance for Customs Administrations in SIEs (adopted in 2020) emphasizes the need to address their unique challenges in the pursuit of Customs modernization and reform programmes.

In line with this Guidance, the first edition of the SIE Scholarship Programme was launched in 2023, marking the beginning of a dedicated scholarship initiative for Customs officials from SIEs.

Over its three editions, the Programme brought together 30 Customs officials representing 19 countries, creating a strong professional network that continues to promote mutual learning and collaboration within the global Customs community.

Designed as an intensive three-month academic and practical training programme, it allowed the participants to strengthen their knowledge and skills to advance their professional competence in important Customs matters.

As a key outcome, each participant produced an individual report focusing on a variety of themes relevant to SIE, such as risk management and Customs modernization. These reports reflected their enhanced analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as their ability to apply WCO instruments and modern Customs practices within their own administration.

Implemented in partnership with HUFS, the SIE Scholarship Programme stands as a successful example of collaboration between the WCO and the Korea Customs Service (KCS).

As the SIE Scholarship Programme concludes, enhanced knowledge, professional capacity, connections, and spirit of collaboration will continue to support the WCO’s broader mission of capacity building. This will contribute to the development of a more inclusive, innovative, and interconnected Customs environment worldwide to better serve society.