The World Customs Organization (WCO) has advised its members on the need to grow capacity through training of personnel.
The reason, according to the directorate is for all Members of the body to have the capability to Influence, construct, and manage policies that meet national requirements, and regional and international obligations.
Implement and sustain the appropriate operational policy, support systems, and procedures to meet these obligations.
The group noted that capacity building provides at the same time a measurable improvement in organizational ability to maintain focus and determine the best ways to deliver the administration’s vision and mission through a blend of sound management, strong governance, and dedication to assessing and achieving results.
“We work under the capacity building core principles of;
Political will – Customs administrations must secure as much support from policy-makers as possible. Sustainable reform and modernization can only survive in time with continued support from all political echelons;
Ownership and commitment – Customs administrations should own and take charge of their reform and modernization process. They should be able to engage partners with a clear vision of where they wish to take their organization, how to get there, and how partners can assist;
Holistic development – Capacity building should address technical, operational, and strategic elements of the organization. The reform and modernization process should begin with a strategic diagnostic and subsequently take a holistic approach to ensure all interdependencies are addressed, particularly about human resource development and management;
Demand-driven and responsive – The capacity-building support offered to Customs administrations should respond to the real needs and assist in overcoming obstacles on the reform and modernization roadmap; and
Partnerships – The relationship between providers of capacity-building support and beneficiaries is based on dialogue, exchange, and mutual understanding. Members should also engage all key private and public sector stakeholders, as well as the donor community, in their reform. The WCO highlighted.
It advised that the new and innovative virtual WCO capacity building delivery approach, in response to the protracted Covid-19 pandemic with national and regional remote online activities such as meetings and conferences, delivery of workshops and webinars, virtual training events, conducting diagnostic studies, and piloting remote accreditation events, etc. can now be considered as the “new norm”, particularly whilst such experiences still thrives.

Picture: WCO headquarters, Brussels Belgium