The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Dr Bernard Vallat, and the WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya, spoke as guests of honour at the Opening of the 83rd General Session of the OIE held in Paris, France, on 24 May.
According to the WCO Secretary General there were similarities between the two intergovernmental organisations, having the same number of members (180) and setting standards for international trade in Customs and animal health respectively, with a shared mission of protecting society while promoting trade.
Mikuriya also explained the WCO's Coordinated Border Management strategy, an inclusive approach for connecting stakeholders, and expressed his appreciation for the OIE's willingness to engage with the WCO. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation added another incentive for the two organisations to work closely together, as the agreement contained two relevant provisions: one on border agency cooperation and another on the National Committee on Trade Facilitation, bringing together all border agencies.