The Council of the World Customs Organization (WCO) is holding sessions in Brussels, Belgium, with the participation of high-ranking representatives of customs departments from 186 countries.

At the event, Chairman of the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan A. Mavlonov met with the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Ian Saunders.

At the meeting, it was noted that Uzbekistan actively participates in the WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme. The second stage of the program, spanning 2024-2027, encompasses several measures aimed at optimizing international trade procedures, reducing trade costs, and enhancing the efficiency of customs clearance.

Within the framework of joint projects of the World Customs Organization and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), representatives of the Customs Committee also actively participated in specialized workshops on risk management and optimizing the timing of goods release. As a result of the bilateral cooperation, the Customs Committee specialist Sh. Niyazov was awarded the status of an international expert by JICA.

The Chairman of the Customs Committee took the initiative to organize the WCO Global Canine Forum in Uzbekistan next year, further expanding cooperation within the framework of the Smart Customs Concept.

At the meeting, the parties identified several promising areas for further cooperation.

Sh. Mamaturopova, UzA