Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who serves as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, issued a global appeal on Tuesday for improved Customs enforcement. He asserted that enhanced collaboration among Customs administrations is essential for protecting communities, securing international trade, and bolstering the world economy.
Adeniyi made these remarks during the joint opening of the 46th Session of the WCO Enforcement Committee with Secretary-General Ian Saunders at the WCO headquarters in Brussels, as noted in a statement released to THISDAY in Abuja on Wednesday.
While addressing attendees, Adeniyi acknowledged the consistent efforts of Customs administrations worldwide in fighting transnational organised crime and defending borders from illicit trade.
He pointed out that the dynamic nature of global threats necessitates increased collaboration and a unified enforcement approach among member states.
"When Customs administrations collaborate, enforcement strength is enhanced, trade safety is improved, and the global economy becomes more resilient," Adeniyi stated.
He stressed that united action is crucial to combating cross-border criminal networks, highlighting that no single administration can successfully navigate the complexities of modern illicit trade alone.
His comments underline the rising significance of multilateral cooperation in Customs operations, particularly as global supply chains grow increasingly susceptible to exploitation by criminal factions.
Ian Saunders, while contributing to the session, stressed the vital role of the Enforcement Committee in promoting the central objectives of Customs administrations globally.
He characterized enforcement as a fundamental aspect of efforts to protect society and maintain the integrity of international trade.
According to him, Customs enforcement serves interconnected functions, such as curbing the flow of illegal and hazardous goods, protecting government revenue, and ensuring that legitimate trade proceeds efficiently and securely.
"Customs protects communities by blocking the entry of illicit and hazardous materials. It maintains trade integrity and revenue by ensuring lawful and transparent commercial practices, and it also supports regulatory compliance, facilitating legitimate commerce in a secure manner," Saunders explained.
He emphasized that fulfilling these objectives demands ongoing vigilance, supported by contemporary tools, resilient systems, and effective methods to identify, prevent, and address emerging threats.
This session represents a significant milestone for the organisation, marking the first instance where both the Council Chairperson and the Secretary- General have collaboratively inaugurated the Enforcement Committee meeting.
This development indicates a renewed institutional commitment to prioritizing enforcement strategically within the WCO.
Founded in 1983, the Enforcement Committee continues to be one of the WCO’s principal statutory bodies. This year’s gathering is being conducted in a newly structured format designed to promote policy-oriented discussions and improve operational efficiency among member countries.
Attendees at the session are set to debate key issues influencing global Customs enforcement, including the examination of the Committee’s Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure, in addition to adopting new and revised enforcement instruments aimed at enhancing international responses to illicit trade.
Discussions will also address the increasing importance of data and technology in countering emerging threats, as well as ongoing projects and broader strategic policy initiatives for the future of Customs enforcement.
Moreover, the meeting is expected to forge forward-looking directives to enhance coordination among member states and strengthen international enforcement frameworks.
The anticipated results of this session are expected to foster greater uniformity in policy execution and enhance collaboration across jurisdictions, aligning with the WCO’s mission to secure and facilitate global trade.
The 46th Session is chaired by Rebecca Johansen, with Oumou Kéita Traoré serving as Vice-Chairperson, demonstrating the organisation’s dedication to inclusive leadership and shared responsibility in advancing global Customs enforcement objectives.
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