Heads of WTO, WCO Sign
Agreement to Boost Cooperation on Trade and Customs Matters
·
Special
challenges and data analytics with regards to the development of the Harmonized
System (HS) tracker and tariff classification.
·
Align
work on the transposition of the HS, including through the prompt sharing of HS
amendments by the WCO's HS Committee.
The
WTO and the World Customs Organization (WCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) on 21 January to enhance cooperation and collaboration on customs-related
matters. The MoU was signed by Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
and WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders on the sidelines
of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos.
Under
the MoU, the two organizations agree to identify opportunities to collaborate on
customs-related topics, and coordinate their participation, in external fora. They
also agree to collaborate on the delivery of technical assistance and capacity building
in areas of common interest, including the implementation of grants provided through
the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility to support members in the implementation
of the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement.
In
addition, the two organizations will share information in areas of common interest
and cooperate on special challenges and data analytics with regards to the development
of the Harmonized System (HS) tracker and tariff classification. They will also
align work on the transposition of the HS, including through the prompt sharing
of HS amendments by the WCO's HS Committee. In addition, they will collaborate and
share information regarding projects and activities put in place to combat illicit
trade, including as regards the enforcement of intellectual property rights.
"The
increasing complexity and volume of international trade makes this MoU particularly
timely," WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
said. "Both organizations have a shared interest in effective implementation
by its members of customs-related rules in areas such as commodity classification,
trade facilitation and the prevention of illicit trade. The MoU will deepen and
expand the excellent cooperation the WTO already enjoys with the WCO to help ensure
trade contributes more effectively to economic cooperation and security."
"This
MoU moves us closer to realizing the goal of the WCO’s theme this year, Customs
delivering on its commitment to efficiency, security and prosperity,” said WCO Secretary
General Saunders. “By working together, policy makers and policy implementers can
more efficiently develop approaches that will achieve more efficient trade, greater
security and lead us to more shared prosperity. I look forward to the partnership
between our Organizations moving to a new level based on
this agreement."
The
WTO is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade
between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the
bulk of the world's trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal
is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible with
a view to raising standards of living in accordance with the objective of sustainable
development.
As
the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organization
with competence in Customs matters. It develops international standards, fosters
cooperation and builds capacity to facilitate legitimate trade, to secure a fair
revenue collection and to protect society, providing leadership, guidance and support
to customs administrations. The WCO represents 186 Customs administrations across
the globe that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade.