On 23 March 2026, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), together with the WCO Council chairperson, officially opened the 46th Session of the Enforcement Committee at the WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The session is being held in a revamped and refreshed format.
Established in 1983, the Enforcement Committee is one of the WCO’s key statutory bodies. This year’s session marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time that both the secretary-general and the Council chairperson have jointly opened the meeting, signalling a strengthened institutional commitment to enforcement and elevating the strategic importance of the Committee’s work.
In his opening address, the Secretary-General underscored the importance of the Enforcement Committee and praised the new format, which provides more space for policy-oriented enforcement dialogue. In line with the WCO’s theme of the year, he said: “Customs enforcement serves multiple purposes, all of which are interlinked. Customs protects society by preventing the movement of illicit and hazardous goods. It safeguards trade integrity and revenue by ensuring that commercial activity is lawful and transparent. It supports economic and regulatory compliance, enabling legitimate commerce to flow efficiently and securely.” He concluded by noting that “recognising these interdependent objectives helps us understand why vigilance and sustained commitment are essential in every aspect of enforcement - and why vigilance is not only a matter of observation, but also of having the right tools, systems and procedures in place to anticipate, detect and respond to threats.”
It is worth highlighting that during its 46th session, the committee will review and discuss a range of strategic and operational topics, including the revision of the committee’s Terms of Reference (ToR) and rules of procedure; new and updated enforcement instruments; the impact and use of data and technology; strategic and policy themes; operations and projects; and future guidance for members. The joint efforts in these areas aim to strengthen clear, consistent enforcement policies and ensure effective operational implementation under the WCO framework.
The chairperson of the 46th session reflected on the committee’s commitment to shared leadership, and the outcomes of this session are expected to contribute directly to the continuous strengthening of Customs enforcement, while improving international cooperation and collaboration.