Representatives of the Belarusian customs, headed by the Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee Aleksandr Bogdevich, from December 7 to 12, take part in the 83rd session of the Policy Commission and the 137th session of the World Customs Organization Council. Taking into account the current epidemiological situation, the events are held online.

During the meetings, the main attention of the delegates and the WCO Secretariat was paid to overcoming the negative consequences of COVID-19 infection by states and the key role of customs in ensuring an uninterrupted supply chain of goods.

The WCO Council session approved the WCO Council Resolution on the role of customs in facilitating the cross-border movement of situationally critical medicines and vaccines.

The participants also noted the need for the customs services of all countries to take comprehensive measures for the unhindered and priority clearance of vaccines against infection, the movement across the borders of which is expected in the near future.

In addition, the agenda includes issues of simplifying and stimulating e-commerce mechanisms, the use of blockchain technology and the role of the WCO Data Model in facilitating interaction between customs services.

Representatives of the customs administrations considered the updated Practical Guidelines on Free Economic Zones and Regulations of the WCO working bodies, discussed the continuation of work on the development of the criteria of effectiveness of the customs administrations activities.

Within the framework of the 137th session of the WCO Council, Chairman of the WCO Council and the head of the WCO Tariff and Trade Affairs Directorate will be elected.

Strengthening interaction with international organizations and customs services of foreign states is one of the priority tasks of the State Customs Committee.

The annual sessions of the WCO Council, as well as the sessions of the Policy Commission provide a valuable opportunity to exchange views on new trends and promising areas of customs administration.

It should be noted that the Republic of Belarus has been a member of the WCO Policy Commission since 2019.