On 17 January 2022, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the General Authority of Customs (GAC) of Qatar participated in an online ceremony to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of a WCO Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Doha, Qatar.  

The MoU was signed by Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, WCO Secretary General, and Mr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal, Chairman of the GAC of Qatar. The RTC will play a critical role in the development of Customs administrations in the North of Africa, Near and Middle East (MENA) region, through the delivery of relevant and tailored training and services.

During the signing ceremony, Mr. Al Jamal recognized the importance of cooperation in building the capacity of Customs and expressed Qatar Customs’ commitment to using the RTC as a key hub for Customs officers to build regional networks and contribute to regional development. He also said that Qatar Customs would continue providing financial support for capacity-building activities in the region to enable Members to discharge their role fully and effectively.

Secretary General Mikuriya welcomed Qatar’s initiative to establish an RTC in Doha, adding that he was confident that all the region’s Members would  benefit greatly from this new facility, which would assist in developing the knowledge and skills of Customs officers, in sharing best practices and in strengthening regional cooperation and networks.

Dr. Mikuriya went on to say that the WCO had high expectations of the RTC Doha, hoping it would enhance communication and coordination between the WCO Secretariat and the region, and expressed the WCO’s commitment to supporting the RTC with global best practices.

The Secretary General concluded his intervention by thanking the GAC of Qatar once again for its efforts to advance the capacity-building agenda within the MENA region.