From November 20 to 24, 2023, twenty Customs officials from El Salvador Customs participated in a five-day workshop aimed to implement an Internal Affairs Unit within the administration. The event was developed and delivered under the WCO Anti-Corruption & Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme, tailored to address specific needs identified by the General Directorate of Customs of El Salvador (DGA).  

During the inaugural session, the Director of Trade Facilitation conveyed the DGA's gratitude for the A-CIP Programme, acknowledging the donors for their pivotal role in making the event possible. Emphasizing the link between trade facilitation measures and integrity, he underscored their role in minimizing corruption opportunities. Subsequently, on the same day, the Director General attended the workshop to reaffirm the DGA's commitment to fostering integrity, highlighting the establishment of an Internal Affairs Unit as a crucial element in the fight against corruption within the organization.

The workshop's main outcome was forming a comprehensive action plan to establish the Internal Affairs Unit within the administration. This plan covered legal, human resources, structural, and other resource-related aspects, providing a clear roadmap for the unit's implementation.

A practical group exercise was conducted to map existing and future internal control processes, encompassing the presentation of complaints, investigation, and disciplinary processes. Participants also identified integrity risks associated with each mapped process.

Facilitated by a WCO Member expert and a WCO A-CIP Programme expert, the event in San Salvador brought together participants from various key areas of the administration. Their diverse views, perspectives, and experiences were instrumental in defining a collective path forward. The participants will refine the action plan in the upcoming months, working collaboratively to establish the Internal Affairs Unit and leverage the current momentum. 

The WCO A-CIP Programme is currently supporting more than 20 countries in five WCO regions. It receives funding from Norad and Canada and focuses on fighting corruption and promoting integrity in Customs administrations. 

For more information, please, contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.