29 July 2026, Online Meeting

The Virtual Working Group on Experts met on July 29, 2026. Mr. Jun Tajima, Head of ROCB A/P; Mr. Takeru Yamazaki, Program Manager; and Ms. Chananchita Rueng-O-Cha, Acting Program Manager, attended the meeting.

During the session, Accredited Customs Experts (ACE) and takeholders joined the discussion led by the Chair person and the WCO Secretariat on how to ensure the effective and the efficient deployment of ACE and keeping their performance as expected,in line with the WCO Capacity Building Paradigm.

Mr. Tajima took the floor and showed the latest figure of 2025/26 that all the Workshop which the ROCB A/P engaged utilized the ACE. He also emphasized the importance of National Contact Points in promoting experts so that talented experts are not left behind, by ensuring effective communication with the WCO. In this regard, he proposed that the ROCB could take a more proactive role by contacting Member administrations to encourage and facilitate the “reactivation” of their experts.

He also echoed a WG member’s comment that ensuring transparency in the selection process of ACE for a mission is important. The Working Group will continue the discussion and awaits more opinions from stakeholders. In this context, ROCB A/P will continue contributing to the WCO’s efforts in a manner that the Region’s interest will be reflected appropriately.

For more information, please contact ROCB A/P at rocb@rocbap.org.