News

Asia Annual Meeting & Regional Training

Summary

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – 19–20 November 2025 – The Asia Annual Meeting & Regional Training took place on 19–20 November 2025 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah jointly organized by the Enforcement Division, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (MDTCL), Malaysia and Cooperatie SNB-REACT U.A. (React), a not-for-profit Global organisation promoting anti-counterfeiting.

Updated on : 26-11-2025

The Asia Annual Meeting & Regional Training took place on 19–20 November 2025 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, bringing together Custom Officials, Enforcement Authorities, Intellectual Property Rights Holders, E-Commerce Platform representatives and legal practitioners from around the Asia Pacific region. The event was jointly organized by the Enforcement Division, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (MDTCL), Malaysia and Cooperatie SNB-REACT U.A. (React), a not-for-profit Global organisation promoting anti-counterfeiting.

 

                                                                       

                                                                                       (Group photo of all the delegates attending the meeting)

The Vietnamese delegation included representatives from Viet Nam Customs, the Market Surveillance Authority, and the Intellectual Property Office of Viet Nam.

 

(The Vietnamese Delegation at the Meeting)

Under the theme “Online to Offline: best practices, opportunities and challenges” the Meeting focused on the growing challenges associated with counterfeit goods moving through e-commerce channels and cross-border trade. Discussions highlighted rising risks in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and medical equipment.

Representing Viet Nam Customs, Ms. Hoàng Vĩnh Hà, an accredited World Customs Organization (WCO) Expert on Intellectual Property Rights, participated as a panel speaker. During the session, she presented WCO tools and recommendations for enhancing border enforcement, including risk-analysis toolkits and information databases. She also shared Viet Nam Customs’ experience in detecting and handling IPR-infringing goods traded online, emphasizing the need for stronger verification processes and multi-agency coordination.

                                                    

                                              (Experts at the meeting)

The two-day event featured a series of notable activities, including the exchange of best practices on IPR enforcement, discussions with e-commerce platforms on mechanisms to address online counterfeiting, and specialized training workshops with product authentication demonstrations hosted by rights holders. A recognition ceremony was held to honor enforcement agencies and digital platforms that have made significant contributions to anti-counterfeiting efforts in the region.

(React honored the Vietnamese Customs’ units and individual officers for their achievements in cooperation on intellectual property rights protection)

The Meeting concluded on 20 November 2025 with a strong call to reinforce collaboration between enforcement authorities, the private sector, and e-commerce platforms to counter increasingly sophisticated IPR violations.

(Training workshop with product authentication demonstrations hosted by rights holders)

For Viet Nam Customs, the Meeting provided an important platform to strengthen international cooperation, share practical experience, and advance joint efforts in protecting consumers and ensuring fair and transparent trade.

Vinh Ha – Department Office, Department of Customs