WCO Discusses Air Cargo Security Measures at Policy Session in China
The Policy Commission of the World Customs Organization met in China on December 6-8, 2010, for its 64th policy session. An important subject on the agenda was recent air cargo security threats, and the contribution and role of Customs in facilitating air cargo security.
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The Session’s agenda included discussions on the contribution and role of Customs in stemming air cargo security threats, WCO instruments and tools that contribute to air cargo security, partnerships with civil aviation and air transport organizations, and other further WCO measures to protect air cargo.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 11/09/10, news Ref:10110915, for BP summary on DHS air cargo security measures after thwarted Yemen terrorist plot)
Future WCO Air Security Aims Discussed, Including Coordination of All Transport, Border Management, Etc.
The WCO states that Session attendees discussed the following:
- International transport coordination. Further strengthening of co-operation with the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other relevant international organizations.
- Focus on all modes of transport. Increased security focus on all modes of transport (i.e. air, rail, road and maritime), for outbound, transit and inbound movements.
- Globally networked Customs. Cooperation at national and international level with a view to ensuring that Customs plays a more active role in airport/port security. The development of a globally interconnected Customs network (Globally Networked Customs) could be instrumental.
- Border management coordination. Enhanced coordinated border management which entails coordination and cooperation among all the relevant authorities and agencies involved in border security and regulatory requirements that apply to passengers, goods and conveyances that move across borders.
- Risk management & information sharing. Strengthened intelligence-driven risk management and threat information sharing because today’s challenges and resources scarcity require application at the high end of the risk continuum.
- Use of secure communications systems. Strengthened use of secure communications systems (e.g. CEN and CENcomm) for the rapid dissemination and exchange of strategic and operational information and intelligence (including risk-related information) at national, regional and international level.
- Use of intelligence technology. Enabling technology and tools since Customs must take advantage of new and emerging technologies to enhance processing, risk management, intelligence and non-intrusive detection.
- Customs/business partnerships. Further strengthening of existing Customs/Business partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
- SAFE. A review of current tools, especially the SAFE Framework and its basic principles and core elements, to keep them up to date and relevant.1
- Post-incident recovery models. Development of models/best practice on post-incident recovery for ports and airports.
1In 2005 the WCO adopted the SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, to strengthen end-to-end supply chain security through enhanced Customs-to-Customs networking and formal partnerships with trade. See WCO Safe Framework of Standards here.