World Customs Organization secretary general Dr Kunio Mikuriya drove home the sustainability message when he addressed customs authorities around the world on International Customs Day (ICD) which is officially marked on January 26.
The official theme for 2020 is “Customs fostering sustainability for people, prosperity and the planet”.
“The theme will guide customs and its partners throughout the year to put sustainability at the centre of their future improvements in practices and processes,” said Mikuriya.
Issues like the reduction in the impact of counterfeiting and piracy to prevent unfair competition, and expansion of the “digital customs” agenda with greater emphasis on the use of modern technologies, including a high-performance, paperless Single Window environment and a solid IT infrastructure would however also be front and centre of customs’ agenda for the year ahead.
True to tradition, the ceremony ended with the unveiling of the iconic Manneken-Pis statue dressed in a Belgian Customs uniform..
