Dubai Customs hosts global event in cooperation with World Customs Organization and UAE Federal Customs Authority

December 22, 2019 - Dubai is set to host the 5th World Customs Organization (WCO) Global AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) Conference 2020 which is being hosted by Dubai Customs in cooperation with WCO and the UAE Federal Customs Authority. The global event which will take place from March 10 to 12, 2020, will be introduced for the first time in the region, further reiterating Dubai’s leadership and major role in global trade, thanks to its competitiveness, safety of trade and investment environment, as well as innovative customs system that make Dubai one of the leading trading hubs in the region.

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs said: “The 5th WCO Global AEO Conference 2020 continues to attract international attention following the successes of previous editions which have established a great momentum in terms of enhancing the linkages and communication with the customs community. The event provides an ideal platform for enhancing global customs procedures and facilitate trade across borders and enable stakeholders to keep pace with rapid global changes. The conference reflects the UAE’s leading efforts to strengthen international cooperation through constant innovation in the customs system.”

He added: “Our preparations to host the conference are underway and we are pleased to announce that it will feature a series of high-level activities aimed at encouraging the exchange of international best practices and the most successful pioneering experiences. We look to highlight Dubai's experience as a leading hub for global trade which has a major impact in boosting the customs work and has gained major attention in terms of establishing a framework that promotes economic diversification. We look forward to the conference which will contribute to supporting the global customs sector’s efforts in building a safe and sustainable system that help achieve Sustainable Development Goals 2030, as well as foreseeing the future of trade in line with Dubai Customs’ plan towards the next 50 years as outlined by the UAE leadership.”

Hosting the conference is timely for Dubai which gears up for Expo 2020 and envisions to become a global leader in customs, trade, and logistics. This is in line with the objectives of the Dubai Silk Road Strategy, one of the top priorities of the Fifty-Year Charter, and the UAE Soft Power Strategy.”

The AEO as a program continuously attracts new members as it facilitates initiatives and key agreements, the latest of which was the AEO plan and Mutual Recognition Agreement between UAE and China in December 2018 which was aimed at promoting trade exchange and customs cooperation between the two countries.

The AEO is a foundation concept in the creation of international standards for customs procedures and clearances for trading companies. It enhances the customs security system and ensures trade facilitation, enabling member companies to easily move their goods to global markets, especially to countries and markets which are members of the program.

The World Customs Organization represents 183 Customs administrations across the globe who are key decision makers in their respective countries in terms of building a stable, safe, transparent and predictable business environment. The WCO provides a platform for discussing issues related to various areas of the customs business such as harmonized system, rules of origin, customs valuation, law enforcement, facilitation, and capacity building.