The High Level Engagement on Promotion of Green Customs in the ESA Region was held virtually on the 30th September 2024. The webinar was opened by the ESA Region Vice Chair and Director General, Mauritius, Mr. Sudhamo Lal, with participation from over 138 officials representing 21 Members, representatives from development partners (AUC, SADC, COMESA, EAC, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Private Sector.
The Vice Chair highlighted the crucial role played by Customs in global trade by ensuring that goods entering and exiting our countries comply with both national and international laws. He further pointed out that Customsโ responsibilities extend beyond just the enforcement of trade regulations. Customs is currently taking the lead protecting the environment by implementing multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and fighting against environmental crime through the Green Customs initiatives launched by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in June 2022 at WCO headquarters in Brussels.
This forum forms part of the decisions of the ESA Governing Council, dedicated to promoting Green Customs in our region. Among other key topics, the session discussed best practices, experiences and case studies on measures that Customs administrations and relevant stakeholders can take or develop to reduce their environmental footprint, protect the environment and facilitate green trade, test transformative ideas towards sustainability excellence and by doing so drive progress on the related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The session further addressed the challenges in enforcing Green Customs regulations in the region among other pertinent matters towards fostering Green Custom.
