OCO joins WCO Meeting on Data and Intelligence and Analysis
Caption: Oceania Customs Organisation Head of Secretariat, Ms Nancy T Oraka flanked by outgoing World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary General, Dr Kunio Mikuruya and current WCO Secretary General, Mr Ian Saunders.
Suva, Fiji, February 14, 2023: The World Customs Organization’s Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific (RILO A/P) hosted the opening of the WCO-RILO A/P Japan office and High-level Roundtable from February 6 to 8, 2024. The gathering, held in Japan, convened top customs officials and experts to forge a path toward enhanced data intelligence and regional collaboration.
Head of Secretariat, Nancy T. Oraka attended the event on behalf of the 23 nations that are part of the Oceania Customs Organisation.
“As the Asia Pacific region grapples with complex customs challenges, including the secure and efficient management of maritime trade, the need for a coordinated approach has never been greater. The roundtable addressed these issues head-on, offering innovative strategies for leveraging data and intelligence in customs operations,” Ms. Oraka said,
The roundtable featured a series of sessions focused on critical areas such as risk management for maritime containers and cruise ships, with a special emphasis on the unique geographic considerations of the Asia Pacific region.
Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on building resilient information-sharing networks to combat smuggling, trafficking, and other cross-border threats.
Ms. Oraka had an opportunity to share experiences from the Oceania region on maritime trade risk management.
“This roundtable marks a turning point in our collective efforts to modernise customs administrations. By harnessing the power of data and intelligence, we are paving the way for a more secure and prosperous region,” Ms Oraka said.”
ENDS
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About OCO: OCO is a grouping of 23 customs administrations in the Pacific region. It facilitates regional cooperation, information sharing and capacity building of its members with the overall target of supporting economic growth and improved border security in the Pacific.