On 30 October 2026, the Secretary General (SG) of the World Customs Organization (WCO) travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, for the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 10th Global Review of Aid for Trade. This global review focuses on the impact of trade development interventions. It examines how strong partnerships can help developing economies address trade-related challenges and create new opportunities for all economies. The SG participated in a panel on enhancing trade facilitation through Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) schemes.
Supporting international trade
Joining senior leaders from the Customs Administrations of Rwanda and Uganda, TradeMark Africa and the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat for a policy dialogue on trade facilitation in the EAC, the SG highlighted the benefits of AEO programmes. He emphasised their role in facilitating trade and the WCO’s global technical expertise in supporting their implementation, noting the next challenge for Customs and the private sector is to advance the regional and global integration of trusted supply chains.
MSME integration
Secretary General Saunders reinforced the importance of making AEO programmes accessible for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). The 2025 WCO SAFE Framework of Standards emphasises this with a new section to guide the inclusion. He also highlighted the joint WCO-WTO-ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) Study Report, which offers recommendations for overcoming barriers faced by smaller businesses and shares best practices from Customs experience.
In addition, he noted the recently launched initiative that will become an annual focus to spotlight MSMEs. At the 43rd SAFE WG meeting in mid-October, India, Morocco and the United States of America (US) presented their AEO programmes and invited MSMEs to share their perspectives and journeys toward accreditation.
Based on the perspectives shared by these businesses, the SG outlined the importance of adapting AEO programmes to support MSMEs throughout the certification process and ensure they receive AEO benefits such as faster clearance processes and greater predictability, while maintaining the necessary security and compliance standards.
AEO success in Africa
As part of the panel discussions, the EAC Secretariat presented its experience implementing the AEO programme. It highlighted its evolution from national initiatives into a regional framework that supports trade facilitation, enhances compliance and strengthens trusted trader programmes.
The Rwanda Revenue Authority shared its experience and perspective on AEOs, which was further supported by a representative from the private sector who spoke about their experience in becoming an AEO.
Uganda Customs spoke about their experience broadening AEO participation across the private sector and the importance of collaborating with other government agencies.
The SG shared the work that the WCO is doing in the Africa region to support the creation of an interconnected system of trusted traders, facilitating cross-border trade and enabling businesses of all sizes to participate through capacity building and technical assistance.
WTO-WCO partnership
While in Geneva, the SG met bilaterally with his counterpart, the WTO DG, to reaffirm the strong partnership between the two organisations and their shared commitment to facilitating safe and secure international trade. The discussion provided an opportunity to exchange views on areas of mutual interest, including disruptive technologies, e-commerce, AEO programmes and MSMEs, and continued collaboration on implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
For more information:
- WCO SAFE Framework of Standards
- WCO-WTO-ICC Study Report on Integration of MSMEs into AEO Programmes