The WCO in the 21st Century: Inventing our Future - Brussels: 27-28 March 2008

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is organizing the World Customs Forum with the theme "The WCO in the 21st Century: Inventing our Future" at WCO Headquarters in Brussels (Belgium) on 27 and 28 March 2008.

This two-day Forum will enable the WCO and its partners to debate and reflect on what form the Organization should take in the 21st Century, what its future role and operations should be, and how it can equip itself to continue to effectively support its Members and enhance its relations with business in the face of the challenges that the 21st Century will pose for Customs and the trade environment.

Event: World Customs Forum
Theme: The WCO in the 21st Century: Inventing our Future
Venue: WCO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
Date: 27-28 March 2008
Website: http://www.wcoomd.org/presentation.htm
Email: event@wcoomd.org

Moderator
Christopher Gillis, Editor, American Shipper magazine

Co-chairs
-Tapani Erling, Chairperson, WCO Council
-Valentine Rugwabiza, Deputy Director General, WTO
-Ronald Noble, Secretary General, INTERPOL
-Peter Burian, Ambassador, Slovak Republic

Objectives

Participants will strategically explore various key aspects of the WCO, such as the decision-making process, its instruments, supply chain security and trade facilitation, the changing responsibilities of Customs, the importance of an appropriate capacity building strategy, and issues surrounding the regionalization of WCO activities. A selection of speakers not representing WCO Members have been chosen as this will allow the future to be visualized and explored as it is perceived by the Organization's main partners. WCO Members may, nevertheless, have an important role to play in the ensuing discussions.

Participant profile

The Forum will bring together senior corporate Customs and supply chain managers, logistics experts, legal advisors, economists, trade security practitioners, academics, representatives of Customs administrations and others involved in the international trade arena.

Sponsorship opportunities

Four top-class sponsorship categories are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, allowing you to:

-Network with Customs executives, global trade stakeholders, academics, researchers and representatives from international organizations

-Market projects, products and services directly to key decision-makers

-Maximize exposure and expand contact databases

-Gain business benefits from a captive audience