From 22 to 24 June 2023, a delegation from the Benin Customs Administration took part in the 141^nd and 142^nd Sessions of the Council of the World Organisation for Customs (WCO). These meetings enabled the Directors General of Customs, representing the 185 members of the WCO, to discuss important issues that affect the role and performance of customs services. Capacity building, the election of the new Secretary-General and the revitalization of economies were at the heart of the discussions. Director General of Customs Alain Hinkati was head of the Beninese delegation composed of the Inspector of Customs IMOROU Idrissou, Director of Legislation and Cooperation and the Inspector of Customs LAOUROU Marcellin, National Coordinator of the WCO Clikc platform.

During these two sessions, the issues to be considered include the usual reports of the various WCO committees (Value, Origin, Tariff, Facilitation, Fight against Fraud) to be approved by the Council, policy and governance issues arising from the 88th session of the General Policy Commission and elections and appointments to vacant posts, including that of the Secretary General of the Organisation. Meeting in Brussels, the Directors-General of Customs representing the 185 members of the WCO have, for three days, focused their discussions on various subjects of interest to the development of this organization created in 1950. The aim of this Council is to ensure the highest degree of harmonization and uniformity of the customs procedures of member Governments, and especially to study the problems inherent in the development and progress of customs technology and related legislation. It is the supreme body of the World Customs Organization and, in that capacity, it pronounces itself as a last resort on the work and activities of the Organization. All WCO bodies are placed directly under the authority of the Council. In this capacity, it is responsible for examining and deciding on policy issues referred to it by the Policy Committee, as appropriate; to provide a forum for the exchange of high-level information, advice and experience on current customs issues; to take decisions of a budgetary nature and

At the end of the election that sanctioned these sessions, the Directors General of Customs elected Ian Saunders as the new Secretary General of the Organisation for a five-year term beginning on 1 January 2001.^and January 2024.

As a reminder, the WCO Secretary General is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the WCO Secretariat. In front of the Directors General of the Member States, the new Secretary General elected, appointed by the United States Customs and Border Protection Service, reassured the Members of the Organisation of his commitment to lead the Customs towards a secure, prosperous and inclusive future: « While respecting the rich past of the WCO, it is necessary to innovate and adapt to modern challenges. I intend to lead the Organization by forging strong and sustainable public-private partnerships, leveraging technology, promoting inclusiveness for effective global customs cooperation, and ensuring transparency and openness as fundamental principles of good governance ». He said. The outgoing Secretary-General, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, whose term of office expires at the end of December 2023, welcomed the appointment of Mr. Saunders. « I congratulate Mr Saunders on his election and wish him every success in his new office », he said before continuing « The WCO has resisted the test of time and, despite the changes in world trade and the recent pandemic, we have remained relevant and proactive, and we have accompanied our members with clear and precise standards that promote certainty, predictability and security in the global supply chain. However, there are many challenges ahead and I am convinced that

Who's Ian SOUNDERS?

The new Secretary General of WCO Ian Saunders is an experienced and principled leader with over 20 years of experience in customs and 30 years of experience in international relations. Member of the High Committee of Officials of the United States since 2008, Mr. Saunders has proved that he is able to meet complex challenges and bring organizations to excellence. It has served the public and the international community in diverse and demanding functions covering different facets of trade, such as customs, trade policy, travel and infrastructure. As part of a collaborative, thoughtful communication and action-oriented management approach, Mr. Saunders led the implementation of programmes, policy formulation and partnership building that have advanced trade facilitation and security worldwide.

At the end of these two sessions, the Director General of Benin Customs, Alain HINKATI, welcomed the decisions taken during the three days of work. He announced that it is a new era that is opening up for the WCO but especially for Benin, which has been working under the auspices of the government for the past few years to change the face of Beninese customs and to modernize it, all things that are in line with the vision of the new Secretary General of the WCO.