Rarotonga, Cook Islands 29 – 31 July 2024
Theme: “Strengthening Partnerships for Dynamic Solutions and a Future-ready Blue Pacific”
The 26th OCO Annual Conference was held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from 29th to 31st July 2024, under the theme “Strengthening Partnerships for Dynamic Solutions and a Future-ready Blue Pacific.” The conference was attended by Heads of Customs and Senior Customs Representatives from American Samoa, Australia, Commonwealth of Northern Marianas, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, including the Representatives of Regional and International Partners to discuss current and emerging issues, share achievements and experiences, and chart the path forward for Customs modernization and regional cooperation.
It should also be noted that the Executive Leadership Workshop for the Heads of Customs was held the week prior to the conference. In today’s rapidly changing world, effective leadership is essential for navigating complex challenges and seizing opportunities for growth and innovation. The workshop focused on various topics such as inspiring teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and empowering customs professionals to lead with vision and integrity. The final day of the workshop focused on practical leadership skills: risk management, implementing change, and real-world leadership examples. These discussions aimed to help Pacific customs leaders make informed decisions, drive organizational change, and lead their teams effectively. Special thanks goes out to Professor David Widdowson and Charles Sturt University’s Centre for Customs and Excise Studies for this opportunity!
Highlights:
The conference commenced with opening remarks by the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Honorable Mark Brown, who emphasized the “urgency of regional cooperation and safeguarding the region’s future”. The opening ceremony was also attended by distinguished guests from high commissions and OCO partners. The ceremony emphasized the importance of regional security, trade and the collaborative spirit of the OCO community, regional and international partners.
Members provided updates on Customs modernization and reform, focusing on initiatives aimed at improving administrative efficiency in alignment with international best practices, reducing corruption, and enhancing effectiveness and addressed key challenges faced by the respective Customs administrations. Key outcomes included reaffirmation of progressing automation, simplifying Customs procedures, enhancing governance and updates on the implementation of the Harmonized System (HS) and Customs Valuation.
During Session two, a panel discussion on enhancing regional trade facilitation through advanced data management and analysis, which also highlighted the benefits of streamlined and integrated Customs procedures. Members and partners shared updates on current trends and challenges in trade facilitation. In addition, Partners elaborated on new functionalities as enablers for performance management and reiterated the importance of data management for optimal results.
Session three included discussions on securing global supply chains underscored the need for advanced cargo screening technologies and risk-based inspection protocols. Updates from Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Australia on Transnational Serious Organised Crime were the highlights of this session, and the World Shipping Council emphasized the importance of supply chain security.
Oher sessions included panel discussions on “Emerging trends in Pacific trade and logistics” were examined, including the growth of e-commerce and its impact; Efforts to combat illicit trade and transnational crime were addressed by Panelists, focusing on smuggling, money laundering and trafficking of drugs and counterfeits. This session emphasized the need for coordination, sharing expertise, standardized processes, procedures and intelligence products. Another session included presentations on strengthening regional capability through strategic partnerships highlighted capacity building and professional development for Customs officials. Updates on various capacity building programs were shared by regional and international partners.
Our regional partners provided updates on regional law enforcement, border security, maritime domain awareness and immigration underscored the importance of cooperation and information sharing to address common challenges. The Members noted the significance of modern MDA intelligence tools for maritime security. The conference addressed gender equality and workplace diversity, with discussions on the encouraging progress and initiatives in these areas within the OCO community. Members and OCO shared their ongoing efforts to embed gender equality and workplace diversity within Customs administrations and strengthening of their activities with members and partners.
The impacts of climate change on Customs operations and the adoption of digital transformative trends were discussed. Strategies for managing disruptions and enhancing efficiency through digital transformation were shared to provide insights into the resilient approach adopted by Customs operations. As part of contingency measures, discussions were convened on the importance of business continuity plans.
The issue of undervaluation in regional trade was explored, focusing on detection, prevention, and collaboration strategies. Members recognize the success of the operation and the benefits of sharing information to effectively target undervaluation. Members pledge to continue the regional collaboration and look forward to future operations in this area.
The conference concluded with a commitment to continue strengthening partnerships and enhancing cooperation among OCO members and partners to ensure a future-ready Customs administration capable of addressing the dynamic challenges of the Pacific region. The 26th OCO Annual Conference successfully fostered dialogue, shared valuable insights, and reinforced the commitment of member countries to work collaboratively towards dynamic solutions and a resilient Blue Pacific. The outcomes of the 26th Annual Conference will guide future initiatives and efforts in Customs reform, modernization, trade facilitation, revenue, compliance, enforcement, border security and regional security.
According to Director John Tarkong Jr. who represented Palau in the conference, he mentioned that members highlighted and shared activities, challenges and solutions undertaken throughout the past year. We analyzed current challenges and ways to address them. As for Palau, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) continues to make a strong case towards modernization and reform in our Bureau and such path includes strengthening and improving our customs, immigration and biosecurity roles in our economy and society. This also includes working and strengthening our partnership with other border and relevant agencies, regional and international partners. Some of Palau’s achievements over the past year included the ongoing collaboration being done through the Coordinated Border Management Working Group and our partners, the implementation of the ASYCUDAWorld System for customs and our stakeholders, the new Immigration Border Management System and Biometrix system at the airport, QR Online Declaration Form at the airport, Palau’s membership with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and Interpol, ongoing training and capacity building and, of course, other ongoing projects to include the single windows system, X-Ray / Scanners, restructuring / reclassification of the Bureau, non-intrusive inspection facility at airport, capacity building and other programs still underway.
While automation and emerging technology goes hand-in-hand with simplifying our processes and procedures, capacity building and strengthening national revenue collection capacities are also a few of our key areas that BCBP continue to exploit and take advantage fully. Enforcement and compliance are also a critical element and top priority for our bureau especially when we need to deal with the current and emerging challenges and threats. But more importantly, we need to impliment legislation in order to meet our enforcement and compliance obligations. In order to enhance border security and protection, we need to have a clear legislative framework and polices that will support our critical programs and processes so that we can play our part in facilitating trade and business, mobilize revenue and protect our borders from organized crime and transnational crime. Tarkong mentioned that it’s been twelve (12) long years since we first introduced the Customs Act to OEK and if we fail to achieve this balance, this will affect our economic activity, finance and society. As the newest member of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and Interpol, we need to pass the Customs Act in order to comply with our national, regional and international obligations and this seems to be our number one challenge for BCBP right now since the Customs Act has been pending approval in the OEK-Senate. A lot of time and effort was spent on drafting the Customs Act and we hope that OEK-Senate can approve the passage of the Act for the sake of greater transparency.