Counter-Terrorism Technical Assistance Programmes

World Customs Organization

 

 

Technical Assistance Programme Description	The WCO is an independent intergovernmental organization whose mission is to improve the operation and efficiency of Customs administrations. Since the Organization's establishment, 16 Customs Conventions have been drafted, updated and implemented in a spirit of international co-operation. The WCO is also responsible for ensuring the uniform interpretation and technical application of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Valuation Agreement. The WCO is also involved in the work in progress at the WTO on harmonization of non-preferential rules of origin. Since inception, the WCO has been actively involved in Customs modernization; now commonly know as capacity building. Traditionally this has taken the form of training and technical assistance (TTA). More recently, with the adoption of the WCO's Capacity Building strategy, the WCO also focuses on needs assessments through the application of diagnostic missions where Customs experts conduct a review of an administration's management and operations from a strategic and tactical perspective. The WCO then makes prioritized recommendations on methods of modernization. The WCO's capacity building work was strengthened in January 2006, when it launched a third Directorate called the Capacity Building Directorate (CBD). The CBD is largely responsible for coordinating and implementing the WCO's capacity building policies and programs. Also in January 2006, the WCO launched the Columbus Programme, a capacity building programme that focuses on implementation of a new WCO instrument called the Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE). SAFE was developed as part of the WCO's work in the area of security and anti-terrorism. The first phase of the Columbus Programme (January 2006-June 2007) involves needs assessments for every WCO Member who has committed to implement SAFE and requested assistance to do so. Harmonization of trade regulations is key area of importance for the WCO. In June 1999, a revised International Convention on the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures, known as the Kyoto Convention, was approved by the Council. The revised Convention is Customs response to the increase in the number of international trade consignments, to the considerable progress in the information technology domain and to a highly competitive international environment, founded on quality services, speed and customer satisfaction. The use of common rules by all Members with respect to Customs valuation, origin and coding of goods as well as transparent and effective Customs procedures requires a considerable effort from the WCO in terms of training and technical assistance. This area is a particularly important aspect of the Organization's external activities. The Customs Capacity Building Strategy is designed to convince the donor community and governments on behalf of WCO's Member administrations that capacity building in Customs is required. It demonstrates to the international community that Customs is serious about addressing capacity building and wants to achieve meaningful and sustainable results. It also acknowledges the failings of past capacity building activities and recommends a range of practical solutions. The Strategy fully involves the recipient country in the capacity building process and seeks the highest level of Government support and the full commitment from the Director General, Customs. To achieve this we have developed a "Diagnostic Framework", which can be used to self-assess various aspects of a Customs Administration. Consultants who may be assisting the diagnostic process can also use it. The Strategy includes: An introduction to what capacity building means in both the Customs and global context, focussing on issues including the Customs contribution to national security, revenue collection, social protection; An overview of why Customs is a vitally important national asset and why its poor performance can be a significant barrier to economic development and increased participation in the global economy A summary of lessons learned from previous capacity building activities and why some of them may not have met expectations; A summary of recommendations about what can be done to improve capacity building activities in Customs; A brief inventory of critical Customs capacity building needs; An introduction to the WCO Customs Capacity Building Diagnostic Framework; A section dealing with the key stakeholders and potential partners that might play a role in achieving meaningful capacity building in Customs; and A brief overview of funding options In addition, the WCO provides a wide range of training and technical assistance activities. In particular, the WCO has a comprehensive e-learning program.
Technical Assistance Methodology	The assistance generally takes the form of expert diagnostic missions, training courses, workshops or seminars organized and conducted at national or regional level. WCO capacity building missions are funded by the WCO's budget, donor funding, or beneficiaries. Before any assistance activity is undertaken, the WCO Secretariat invites the future beneficiaries to analyse and define precisely what form of assistance they need and the objective they are hoping to achieve. The WCO Diagnostic Framework is broad in its content, focus and application and it could be adapted to fulfil this kind of assessment of a State's capacity relative to implementing related areas of resolution 1373. The WCO believes, however, that it would be preferable to carry out specific evaluation work of this kind as part of a broader capacity building diagnostic assessment. WCO processes and decisions are based on consensus and WCO would need to be invited by the State or with the agreement of the state to take part in such analytical work. In any case, in our view is that Capacity Building achieves its best results when the parties receiving the assistance are fully involved and engaged in the process. The WCO would welcome the opportunity to match the requests from Governments coming to CTC and the initiatives directed to WCO from Customs Administrations.
Technical Assistance Eligibility	WCO is made up of Member Customs Administrations from 169 countries, which are collectively responsible for the processing of over 98% of all world trade. The WCO generally does not sponsor or participate in capacity building activities conducted in non-Member states. Likewise, it does not offer its programs to Member states that are currently deemed to be inactive (due to non-payment of Membership dues). Some flexibility does, however, exist for the WCO to invite non-Member administrations to participate in regional activities where it does not involve additional cost to the WCO. Moreover, in certain circumstances, for example where it is in the strategic interests of the international Customs community, where funding is provided by donor organizations, and/or where WCO's participation may accelerate the process and timetable for joining the organization, it is possible for the WCO to negotiate limited involvement in capacity building activities in non-Member states.
Organization's Member States	Afghanistan (Transitional Islamic State of), Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia , Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain. Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Republic of the), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador (Republic of), Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji Islands, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras (Republic of) , Hong Kong, China, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, China, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

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