2010 PICARD Conference highlights the value of networking with academic partners on research and professional education

Abu Dhabi, 23-25 November 2010

Report

At the invitation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Federal Customs Authority, the 5th WCO PICARD Conference was held in Abu Dhabi from 23-25 November 2010. Around 200 participants from Customs and the academic world gathered to share their research outcomes relevant to the WCO agenda as well as developments in Customs professional education.

At the opening session Director General Khalid Ali Al Bustani welcomed participants and stressed the importance of capacity building and its linkage to the PICARD Conference.

Announcing the 2011 WCO theme for International Customs Day, namely "Knowledge, a catalyst for excellence in Customs", Secretary General Mikuriya explained the link between the current WCO working agenda and the topics of the PICARD Conference: revenue collection, the Customs-business partnership, the protection of the environment, and performance measurement.

The conference was co-chaired by Professors David Widdowson (Canberra University) and Hans-Michael Wolffgang (Münster University) and included a range of speakers from Customs, academia, the World Bank and business.

Two universities, the University of Costa Rica and the National Research University (International Business and Law Institute) of Saint Petersburg were certified as meeting WCO Professional Standards.

To view Conference presentations visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/event.htm.

Whilst in Abu Dhabi the WCO Secretary General took the opportunity to meet UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, who expressed his strong commitment to cooperation with the WCO and better coordination of capacity building activities in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Secretary General Mikuriya also met Director General Saeed Ahmad Al Muhairi of Abu Dhabi Customs to discuss ways to enhance the functionality of the ROCB in Abu Dhabi.