The delegation of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan took part in the regular session of the Council of the World Customs Organization (WCO), which was held from June 22 to 24, 2023 in Brussels.

Turkmenistan, which joined the World Customs Organization in 1993, regularly participates in the annual sessions of the Council, the highest decision-making body.

At the session of the Council, the work done during the year was reviewed. The Council took note of the progress made in the implementation of the Strategic Plan for 2022-2025, especially in key areas such as technology and innovation, green customs, governance and accountability.

The Council discussed various areas of customs work, including capacity building, rules of origin, valuation, nomenclature and classification, compliance and trade facilitation. Presentations also covered international standards, guidance documents and recommended practices developed by the various working bodies of the Council in order to improve cross-border trade management.

During the session, the Directors General of Customs Services elected Ian Saunders from the United States as the new Secretary General of the Council for a five-year term. They also elected Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service as Chairman of the Council. In addition, new regional Vice-Chairmen were appointed.