The World Customs Organization (WCO), with invaluable support from Hong Kong Customs as co-hosts in the capacity as the WCO Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific Region (APVC), successfully held its Global Workshop on National Data Strategies from 18 to 20 March 2025 in Hong Kong, China. This important event, supported by the Customs Cooperation Fund of China (CCF-China), brought together customs officials from around the world to share insights and best practices on national data management strategies.

The workshop provided a valuable platform for participants to discuss and exchange knowledge on enhancing customs data strategies, ultimately aiming to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of customs operations. The event also played a pivotal role in shaping the future development of the WCO’s Compendium on National Data Strategies, which will be an essential resource for customs administrations worldwide.

Key Highlights

The workshop featured a series of presentations from WCO experts and customs administrations, covering topics such as the WCO Data Strategy, national data strategies, and WCO-developed data analytics tools. Participants also had the opportunity to share their national experiences, presenting strategies implemented in their countries and engaging in in-depth discussions on data management challenges and innovations.

A highlight of the event was the on-site visit to the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Computer Forensic Laboratory, where participants had the chance to observe cutting-edge technologies in action and learn from Hong Kong’s advanced customs operations.

A Successful Outcome

The successful conclusion of the workshop marked a significant milestone in the WCO’s ongoing efforts to strengthen data management within the global customs community. The insights shared during the event will contribute to the WCO’s work in supporting member administrations to modernize their data strategies and enhance international trade facilitation.

The WCO looks forward to continuing its collaboration with member administrations to ensure that data strategies remain a core component of modern customs operations and to further promote global cooperation.