5. Conference Reports
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Item WCO Illicit Trade Report 2018(World Customs Organization, 2019) World Customs OrganizationThe World Customs Organization (WCO) Illicit Trade Report 2018 provides a comprehensive analysis of global illicit trade trends based on data from 154 member customs administrations. The report is divided into six key areas: Cultural Heritage, Drugs, Environment, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Health and Safety, Revenue, and Security. Each section presents detailed seizure data and case studies, highlighting significant enforcement actions and emerging trends in illicit trade. In 2018, the WCO partnered with the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS) to enhance the report with advanced data visualization and analysis techniques. This collaboration aimed to provide a more in-depth understanding of illicit trafficking patterns to support law enforcement efforts and improve border security globally. Key findings from the report include notable increases in seizures of illicit drugs and counterfeit goods, ongoing challenges in combating environmental crimes such as illegal logging and wildlife trafficking, and the persistent threat to cultural heritage from looting and smuggling. The report also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and information sharing among customs administrations to effectively combat illicit trade.Item WCO Illicit Trade Report 2019(World Customs Organization, 2020) World Customs OrganizationThe World Customs Organization (WCO) Illicit Trade Report 2019 offers a comprehensive analysis of global illicit trade trends based on seizure data and case studies submitted by 137 member customs administrations. The report is divided into six sections: Cultural Heritage; Drugs; Environment; Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Health and Safety; Revenue; and Security. The report highlights significant trends and patterns in illicit trade, providing essential insights for customs administrations to make informed decisions on securing cross-border trade. For the fourth consecutive year, the WCO partnered with the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS) to enhance the report with advanced data visualization and analysis techniques. The detailed analysis includes notable findings such as the ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking, the illegal trade in wildlife, and the complexities of enforcing intellectual property rights. Additionally, the report underscores the importance of international cooperation and the effective use of data in tackling these issuesItem WCO Illicit Trade Report 2021(World Customs Organization, 2022) World Customs OrganizationThis Report emphasizes the essential role of Customs administrations as the “first line of defence” in the fight against cross-border illicit trade and the protection of our citizens and economies against criminal organizations operating internationally. The report reveals significant challenges in accurately tracking cultural heritage crimes, as much of the data is derived from open sources due to incomplete submissions to the CEN. The analysis indicates a very small number of reported cases and a decline in seizures from 2019 to 2021. In Drug Trafficking, this remains a critical issue, with various strategies and operations highlighted to combat the illicit drug trade. In Environmental Crimes, this section covers illegal activities such as wildlife trafficking and waste trafficking, emphasizing the growing threat to biodiversity and environmental health. In IPR, Health, and Safety, the report underscores the continued prevalence of counterfeit goods, which pose risks to health and safety. In Revenue and Security, These sections address various forms of tax evasion and security threats, including the smuggling of goods that can undermine national economies and security.Item WCO Illicit Trade Report 2022(World Customs Organization, 2023) World Customs OrganizationTHIS REPORT WILL SERVE AS A REFERENCE TO POLICY MAKERS, ACADEMIA AND ALL THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING TRENDS AND PATTERNS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF CROSS-BORDER TRADE. The World Customs Organization (WCO) Illicit Trade Report 2022 provides a detailed examination of global cross-border illicit trade and its implications for societies and economies. This comprehensive report focuses on seven key areas: drugs, environment, cultural heritage, money laundering and terrorist financing, intellectual property rights, health and safety, and revenue. The report relies heavily on data from the WCO Customs Enforcement Network (CEN), which aggregates information on seizures and offenses from customs administrations worldwide. It also includes data from other credible sources like media reports, publications by customs administrations, and international organizations. The 2022 report highlights the ongoing efforts by the global customs community to combat illicit trade through targeted enforcement actions and collaborative initiatives, demonstrating the critical role of customs in protecting societies from the detrimental effects of illicit trade.Item WCO Illicit Trade Report 2023(World Customs Organization, 2024) World Customs OrganizationThe WCO Illicit Trade Report 2023 provides an extensive analysis of the state and trends in illicit trade, emphasizing its adverse effects on legitimate markets, public trust, and the financing of criminal activities. The report covers key areas such as drugs, environmental crimes, cultural heritage, money laundering, terrorist financing, intellectual property rights, health and safety, revenue, and security. Key highlights include: 1. Comprehensive Analysis: The report offers detailed insights into various forms of illicit trade, including case studies, statistical data, and enforcement challenges, using data from the WCO Customs Enforcement Network (CEN). 2. Enforcement Strategies: It discusses the necessity for tailored enforcement strategies and coordinated approaches to effectively combat these illicit activities. 3. Collaborative Efforts: The report's findings result from the combined efforts of the WCO Secretariat, Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices, and WCO Members, showcasing the importance of global collaboration in addressing these issues. 4. Technological Tools: The use of the CEN Data Visualization Tool helps enhance understanding and provides actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders. The report underscores the importance of dynamic and adaptable solutions to tackle the evolving challenges posed by illicit trade in a globalized world.Item The Effects of Emerging Issues on the Role of Customs and Trade(WCO ESA Regional Office for Capacity Building, 2022) WCO ESA ROCB; Liza, Larry; Mpanduki, Nellie; Ndonga, DennisItem 2nd WCO ESA Regional Research Conference Nairobi, Kenya 23rd and 24th November 2017: Impacts and Implication of Trade Facilitation Agreement and the WCO Mercator Programme to the ESA region(WCO ESA, 2017-11-23) World Customs Organization East & Southern Africa Regional Office for Capacity BuildingThe Governing Council of the World Customs Organization, East and Southern Africa region, established the regional research programme aiming to build institutional capacity and the body of knowledge in customs through research. The objective of the programme is to encourage research on topical themes for customs in East and Southern Africa. The programme also aims to develop a body of knowledge to guide the decision-making process concerning trade facilitation and regional economic integration in the Region. It is also hoped that the research programme and the results from findings from the research initiatives will assist countries in sharing experiences, ideas, knowledge, and information on new innovations to improve Customs operations while creating new inventions to continue modernizing customs to ease facilitation of trade in East and Southern Africa. The envisaged output from this process will always be the publication of an e-book consisting of a consolidation of papers presented during the conference. A Regional Research Panel was established by the ROCB for the overall coordination of the conference. The Panel comprises representatives from the ROCB, WCO Research Unit, RTCs, Experts (including from academia), and other stakeholders.