Brussels, May 14, 2025 — The Europe Today: Vietnam has been re-elected as Chair of the Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) of the World Customs Organization (WCO) for the 2025–2026 term, following the conclusion of the 247th/248th PTC session recently held at the WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
The re-election underscores Vietnam’s growing international stature and influential role in shaping global customs policies and operations. It also reflects widespread recognition of the country’s active and effective contributions during its previous tenure.
Counsellor Nguyễn Thị Vĩnh Hoài, currently serving at the Embassy of Việt Nam in Belgium and acting as the country’s representative to the WCO, will continue to lead the committee. Her renewed appointment signals the continued confidence and high regard the global customs community places in Việt Nam’s leadership and its commitment to the WCO’s strategic goals.
Reporting from Brussels, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondents noted that the session convened nearly 300 leading customs experts from WCO member administrations, international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), as well as private sector stakeholders and global research institutions.
Participants engaged in comprehensive discussions focused on formulating strategies and collaborative solutions to tackle multifaceted global challenges, including the effects of climate change, rapid digital transformation, and surging international trade volumes—particularly the dramatic increase in e-commerce.
Over the course of four intensive working days, the PTC achieved significant outcomes in several priority areas:
- E-Commerce: The committee held in-depth discussions on handling low-value shipments, strengthening stakeholder collaboration, and utilizing digital technologies to improve efficiency while balancing trade facilitation with regulatory compliance.
- Customs Data Exchange: The review of the Customs Data Exchange Platform (CDEP) explored ways to enhance international cooperation, mitigate revenue losses, and improve risk control through real-time automated data exchange.
- Rules of Origin: The committee adopted a feasibility study on the Connectivity Framework for Certificates of Origin, marking a step forward in digitization and customs cooperation. It also updated WCO guidance on addressing irregular origin claims.
- Smart Customs: The session endorsed key progress on the smart customs initiative, including ongoing research into emerging technologies, the publication of a study on implementation challenges, and the launch of the Smart Customs Community Portal.
- WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement: Updates were made to the WCO’s Mercator Programme, aimed at helping governments effectively implement trade facilitation measures under the WTO framework.
- Green Customs: The committee introduced new guidelines under the Green Customs Action Plan, emphasizing the role of customs authorities in addressing environmental issues and promoting sustainability.
- Vulnerable Borders: Guidance was approved for implementing the action plan for vulnerable borders, aimed at maintaining supply chain security under adverse conditions.
- Additional Initiatives: The committee reviewed ongoing efforts to revise the SAFE Framework of Standards, discussed integrating micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) into the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, examined best practices for free zones, and reviewed findings from the Time Release Study. Further discussions focused on developing a Customs Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM) and expanding the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in customs management.
In her closing remarks, Counsellor Hoài emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation, promoting innovation and technology, and advancing sustainable development to overcome global challenges and enhance supply chain security.
“Vietnam’s continued leadership of the committee represents an opportunity for the country to make even more impactful contributions to the development of the global customs community in the years ahead,” she affirmed.
The reappointment marks another milestone in Vietnam’s strategic engagement in global governance and trade facilitation, reaffirming its position as a proactive and responsible member of the international customs community.
