The United Arab Emirates, the host country of the Regional Office for Capacity Building for the North Africa, Near and Middle East region, signed the headquarters agreement for the office with the World Customs Organization (WCO) on the sidelines of the sessions of the WCO Council in Brussels.

The UAE’s hosting of the Regional Office for Capacity Building, affiliated with the World Customs Organization, enhances the UAE’s leading position in the global customs system. The UAE has been hosting the regional office for capacity building for North Africa, the Near and Middle East since 2006. The office supports the organization and customs in the region to meet customs development requirements by leveraging standards and experiences derived from the World Customs Organization.

The agreement outlines the tasks performed by the host country, the United Arab Emirates, for the Regional Office for Capacity Building for North Africa, the Near and Middle East, granting the office a headquarters in the country and providing supporting services. The office seeks to achieve a set of strategic goals contributing to the development of customs work, enhancing competitiveness, and building capabilities in the field of inspection and customs control in the region. This includes administrative support and coordination of related activities among the regional countries.

Based on the decision of the customs directors general in the region and their support for the regional capacity-building strategy, the Regional Office for Capacity Building was established in the UAE. The office aims to strengthen customs relations between the UAE and its strategic partners in the region and the world, building customs capacities by identifying the specific needs of regional countries in customs work. Additionally, the office oversees the implementation of customs activities and projects based on international best practices, monitors changes, ensures compliance with global customs standards, coordinates with training centers in the region accredited by the organization, and collaborates with supporting entities for projects.