Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose

	Lang Son Customs remits VND10 billion to budget from "post-clearance audit
	Dong Thap Customs builds a strong force, meeting task requirements in new situation, President Vo Van Thuong
	Hanoi Customs Department facilitates enterprises to restore import and export

According to WCO, this year, our world has changed dramatically over the last decade and continues to do so, presenting us with unprecedented challenges, including rapid technological advances, environmental and health crises, and complex geopolitical and economic dynamics. These conditions require that the global Customs community take a forward-thinking approach to its work and seek solutions that are not just based on its own knowledge and resources, but are supplemented by the support of stakeholders.

The theme for 2024 is a strategic call to action, urging Customs administrations to broaden perspectives, think creatively, and embrace innovative approaches. This is essential for Customs administrations to maintain their role in facilitating global trade and ensuring security in a rapidly evolving environment.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and senior leaders of the WCO and Customs administrations of countries visit booths at the 2023 WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition. Photo: Quang Hung

Accordingly, the WCO calls on members to strengthen cooperation with traditional partners: deepen and enrich established relationships to ensure they continue to be strong, relevant, and mutually beneficial.

Establish new partnerships: actively seek and establish new connections with a wider range of stakeholders, including financial institutions, environmental organizations, NGOs, and academic institutions to find new solutions and new perspectives on the challenges that Customs administration are facing.

Collaboration with purpose: ensure that partnerships are aligned with the mission and values of the Customs administration and the benefits. It is necessary to re-evaluate the effectiveness of partnerships in implementing the objectives of trade facilitation, border security, and the resilience of global supply chains in accordance with core goals of the organization.

Diversify connections: Incorporate a broad spectrum of voices and perspectives into WCO’s strategies is also paramount. Doing so will ensure that our strategies are comprehensive and more resonant with the global community that the Customs serve.

Assess impact and adjust strategies: continuously evaluating and refining our partnerships to maintain their effectiveness and relevance. Such a dynamic approach is vital in an ever-changing global landscape, and increases the Customs administrations’ ability to achieve meaningful results in line with their critical mission.

Promote the application of technology and data: look to the value of cutting-edge technologies and data analytics to better understand and engage with partners. These will enhance our understanding and engagement with partners, thereby increasing our responsiveness and effectiveness.