Webinar on Digital Technologies and Green Customs
To mark the 20th year of the CAREC Customs Cooperation Committee (CCC), the opening webinar focused on two pressing issues – the challenges and opportunities afforded by digital technologies for enhancing customs efficiency, and customs’ role in implementing trade-related multilateral environmental agreements. Experts from United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific, World Customs Organization, and World Trade Organization provided comprehensive overviews of both topics. Customs officials, representatives from the CAREC Regional Trade Group and development partners participated.
Deputy Director General Ziwei Yuan of the General Administration of Customs of People’s Republic of China, chair of the event, acknowledged that technology and innovation are essential for customs while green customs also needs close attention, welcoming closer cooperation on these matters.
Asia Development Bank (ADB) Director of Public Management, Financial Sector, and Regional Cooperation Division of East Asia Department (EARD), Emma Fan, congratulated the CCC for two decades of excellent contribution to trade facilitation in the region and ensured ADB’s continued support in advancing digital and green customs for sustainable economic recovery. EARD Advisor Safdar Parvez affirmed the value of technology for customs, and of an ecosystem or overall institutional setting and investment in human capacity. He also encouraged CCC to explore how best to integrate Green Customs in regular customs functions, given its enormous consequences for the environment and sustainable development.
Key Documents
Session 1 – UNESCAP (English, Russian)
Session 1 – PAK(English, Russian)
Session 2 – WCO (English, Russian)
Session 2 – WTO (English, Russian)
Supported under KSTA 9824: Better Customs for Better Client Services in Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Countries, co-funded by the Regional Cooperation and Integration Fund; the PRC Poverty Reduction and Regional Cooperation Fund; United Kingdom Fund for Asia Regional Trade and Connectivity, and Republic of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund.