On 30 June 2024, the highest decision-making body of the World Customs Organization, the WCO Council, has re-elected the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner as its Chairperson for a second term, 2024 – 2025.
The SARS Commissioner said after his re-election that the WCO was becoming ever more important given the technological and big data innovations that facilitate trade, the growth of eCommerce, and global uncertainties taking place in the geopolitical landscape.
“The key objectives of the WCO and all its member countries are to promote legitimate trade, to prevent trade in illicit and harmful goods, and ensure the safe movement of goods and travellers across the borders that divide the world.
“It is known that Customs unite whereas borders divide. But the unity amongst the Customs community must be directed towards a common transformative goal that brings economic and social well-being to all citizens of member states”, the SARS Commissioner said.
He said it was an honour that he was once again entrusted to provide this transformative leadership of such a vital organization as the WCO in the prevailing turbulent times. “Central to the role of the WCO Chair is to ensure that the WCO Secretariat has both the capacity as well as the orientation to serve the needs of Customs Administrations around the world,” the SARS Commissioner said.