20th August 2024, Nairobi, Kenya.
The WCO ESA ROCB Director, Mr. Larry Liza, hosted a delegation from the Regional Training Centre (RTC) Kenya represented by Ms. Alice Kananu and Mr. Charles Ngugi, to map a way forward in supporting Green Customs in the ESA Region. Also present in the meeting were Ms. Faith Mosongo, Ms. Clemence Wawuda and Ms. Linda Siele from the ROCB.
The meeting discussed the measures that Customs administrations can take or develop to reduce their environmental footprint, to protect the environment and facilitate green trade, to test transformative ideas towards sustainability excellence and by doing so drive progress on the related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It further stressed the importance of generating environmental benefits through digitalization and paperless procedures, enforcing Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and domestic environment-related regulations, and implementing trade facilitation measures for environmentally friendly goods which are the most common components of the definition of Green Customs.
The meeting further discussed possible areas of collaboration between the ROCB and RTC Kenya in delivering sustainable capacity building in the region in line with the objectives of the regional strategy. It was agreed that RTC Kenya will roll out the Green Customs programme to the region having piloted the same among the four RTCs, this will initially be done virtually as we engage potential development partners towards accessing possible funding for a physical engagement. RTC Kenya was further encouraged to leverage on micro learning and explore the possibility of having online modules to create awareness of Green Customs. It was also proposed that a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on Green Customs be rolled out to support the sustainability of the initiative at both national and regional levels. The meeting agreed that its crucial to involve Partner Government Agencies (PGAs), development partners, the private sector and all relevant stakeholders in these engagements.
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