Opening of the 33rd ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting

Director General of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Van Can speaks at the opening of the meeting. Photo: Tran Anh

As the annual and most important event in the ASEAN Customs cooperation mechanism, the meeting draws the participation of about 100 delegates from 10 customs administrations of ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, and ASEAN partners including China Customs, Japan Customs, Korea Customs, Australian Border Force, the Organization World Customs (WCO), US-ASEAN Business Council, EU-ASEAN Business Council, and ASEAN Business Advisory Council.

Mr. Satvinder SINGH, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN is the guest of honor at the meeting.

The meeting. Photo: Tran Anh.

As the Chairperson of the 33rd ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting, Director General of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Van Can gives an opening speech and emphasizes that Vietnam Customs has made great efforts to effectively implement initiatives and commitments to realize ASEAN’s common goals.

Accordingly, Viet Nam Customs is determined to implement the Digital Customs and Smart Customs development strategy.

“I believe that a modern customs management model, applying new technology such as AI and blockchain, is not only the goal of Viet Nam Customs but also of the Customs Administrations of ASEAN Member States” Director General Nguyen Van Can says.

As the saying goes, if you want to go far, go together. Now is the time for ASEAN Customs to make joint efforts for a new journey with further goals in Integration and Connectivity, contributing to Creating a comprehensive and sustainable future economy and Transforming for the digital future as stated in the Joint Statement of the 11th Meeting of the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.

Mr. Theeraj Athanavanich, Director-General of the Thai Customs Department - Chairperson of ASEAN Customs for the 2023-2024 term. Photo: Tran Anh

The Director General said that Vietnam Customs will actively promote and perform the role of connecting Customs Administrations of Member States to continue implementing and completing important ASEAN customs cooperation initiatives so that the ASEAN Customs Community can go further together, for the goal of building a cohesive ASEAN Community and demonstrating the important role and position of ASEAN for peace, security and prosperity of the region, and continue to bring the ASEAN customs cooperation progress to new achievements in facilitating regional trade, while ensuring proper border control, contributing to the successful completion of the goals of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

Leaders attend the meeting. Photo: Tran Anh

At the Opening Ceremony, Mr. Theeraj Athanavanich, Director-General of the Thai Customs Department - Chairperson of ASEAN Customs for the 2023-2024 term, expressed his pleasure to attend this meeting in Vietnam. The meeting marked meaningful support and cooperation among members. Motivated by the achievements over the past year, the joint statements on customs are the basis to promote the Single Window mechanism, creating favorable conditions for the operations of businesses, especially the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, a pilot program towards promoting cooperative relations within ASEAN.

Delegates of Customs Administrations of ASEAN Member States take souvenir photos with representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat. Photo: Tran Anh

According to Mr. Theerai Athanavanich, at the meeting, Thai Customs would like to transfer an important role and responsibility to Vietnam Customs and hope that together with the efforts of Customs administrations of ASEAN States, it will promote the common activities of the region.

Delegates take souvenir photos at the meeting. Photo: Tran Anh

The meeting takes place from May 4-6 under the chairmanship of Mr. Nguyen Van Can, Director General of the General Department of Vietnam Customs. With an agenda of 12 topics, the Directors General of ASEAN Customs together discuss topics that inherit and continue the achievements of the 32nd Meeting held in Thailand; and decide on the direction of customs cooperation shortly, especially through the Strategic Plan for Customs Development (SPCD) for the 2026-2030 period. Based on a review of recent customs development trends in the WCO and relevant international organizations, along with ASEAN regional Customs initiatives and recommendations of the private sector, the Directors General of ASEAN Customs will include new elements, including customs digitalization, automation, circular economy, carbon neutrality, sustainability... in the latest cycle of SPCD.

Delegates of Customs Administrations take souvenir photos at the meeting. Photo: Tran Anh

The key contents will be mentioned at the meeting such as the ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN), ASEAN Single Window, ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS), ASEAN Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Agreement, and ASEAN’s operations and initiatives to fight against smuggling and trade fraud. Action programs and customs development strategic plans are implemented to gradually realize the goals of the ASEAN Free Trade Area on the free flow of goods within ASEAN and promote trade among ASEAN Member States with the partners.