News

Regional Meeting on Combating Hazardous Waste Trafficking and Abandoned Containers – Philippines (Cebu)

Summary

Cebu, Philippines – From 24 to 28 November 2025, Regional Meeting on Combating Hazardous Waste Trafficking and Abandoned Containers, was held in Cebu, Philippines, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Updated on : 28-11-2025

From 24 to 28 November 2025, Regional Meeting on Combating Hazardous Waste Trafficking and Abandoned Containers, was held in Cebu, Philippines, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

                                                                 (Group photo of all the delegates attending the meeting)

The event, conducted under the framework of the Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP) sub-project “Countering Illegal Hazardous Waste Trafficking through the Container Control Programme,” generously supported by the Government of Norway, brought together law enforcement officers, competent authorities, and relevant stakeholders, including representatives from the private sector.

                                                                                                                      (General view of the meeting)

Discussions focused on inspection, monitoring, and risk assessment of scrap shipments, methods for detecting and handling abandoned containers, and sharing practical experiences from participating countries. The meeting aimed to serve as an effective forum to strengthen the capacities of relevant agencies, prevent illegal trade in hazardous waste and scrap, address abandoned containers at ports, and foster collaboration and information exchange between the Port Control Network and law enforcement agencies regionally and nationally.

During the national presentation, representatives from the Viet Nam Customs Department shared situation regarding scrap cargo control and management of abandoned containers, highlighted current challenges, presented relevant case studies, and proposed future solutions.

Over the five-day program, key activities included sharing PCCP Waste Project results, best practices in hazardous waste control from Australian Customs and regional counterparts; the European Union’s perspective on transboundary movement of hazardous waste; a site visit to Cebu Port to observe container scanning and customs inspection procedures; and advanced training on the use of self-contained breathing apparatus, commonly used in rescue operations, firefighting, and hazardous environments.

The meeting concluded on 28 November 2025, emphasizing the importance of capacity building and regional cooperation among regulatory agencies, the port control network, and the private sector to address challenges in controlling the illegal trade of hazardous waste.

For Viet Nam Customs, the event provided an important opportunity to enhance staff capacity, share experience, and strengthen international cooperation, contributing to more effective prevention of illegal trade in hazardous waste and management of abandoned containers in the region.

Vinh Ha – Department Office, Department of Customs