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WCO Secretary General and Council Chairperson stress the vital role played by Customs in protecting society at the Enforcement Committee’s 46th Session

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Ian Saunders, together with the WCO Council Chairperson, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, officially opened the 46^th Session of the Enforcement Committee on 23 March 2026, at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The session is being held in a revamped and refreshed format.

Established in 1983, the Enforcement Committee is one of the WCO’s key statutory bodies. This year’s session marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time that both the Secretary General and the Council Chairperson have jointly opened the meeting, signalling a strengthened institutional commitment to enforcement and elevating the strategic importance of the Committee’s work.

In his opening address, the Secretary General underscored the importance of the Enforcement Committee and praised the new format, which allows more space for policy-oriented enforcement dialogue. In line with the WCO’s theme of the year, he emphasized that “Customs enforcement serves multiple purposes, all of which are interlinked. Customs protects society by preventing the movement of illicit and hazardous goods. It safeguards trade integrity and revenue by ensuring that commercial activity is lawful and transparent, and it supports economic and regulatory compliance, enabling legitimate commerce to flow efficiently and securely.” He concluded by noting that “recognizing these interdependent objectives helps us understand why vigilance and sustained commitment are essential in every aspect of enforcement - and why vigilance is not only a matter of observation, but also of having the right tools, systems and procedures in place to anticipate, detect and respond to threats.”

In his keynote address, the Council Chairperson commended the global Customs community for its continued efforts to protect society from transnational organized crime. He brought his remarks to a close by stressing the power of cooperation, stating that “when Customs administrations work together, enforcement becomes stronger, trade becomes safer, and the global economy becomes more resilient.”

It is worth highlighting that during its 46^th Session, the Committee will review and discuss a range of strategic and operational topics, including the revision of the Committee’s Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure; new and updated enforcement instruments; the impact and use of data and technology; strategic and policy themes; operations and projects; and future guidance for Members. The joint efforts made in these areas aim to strengthen clear and consistent enforcement policies and ensure effective operational implementation under the WCO framework.

The Chairperson of the 46^th Session is Rebecca Jonassen from New Zealand, with Oumou Kéita Traoré from Mali as Vice-Chairperson, reflecting the Committee’s commitment to a shared leadership strategy. The outcomes of this session are expected to contribute directly to the continuous strengthening of Customs enforcement, while improving international cooperation and collaboration.

(Source:https://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2026/march/wco-secretary-general-and-council-chairperson-stress-the-vital-role-played-by-customs.aspx)