WCO A/P Regional Workshop on Strategic Initiative for Trade Facilitation 16-18 March 2015 Jakarta, Indonesia A/P Regional Capacity Building Approach Overview Kazunari IGARASHI1 Head of the ROCB A/P
Presentation Topics 1. About the ROCB A/P 2. A/P Region s Capacity Building Strategy 3. Structured Technical Assistance Planning and Delivery to complement the MERCATOR Programme 4. ROCB s Role in pushing forward the MERCATOR Programme
About the ROCB A/P The Asia/Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB A/P) was officially launched on 28 September 2004 in the wake of the endorsement of the WCO Council Sessions in June 2004. Mission of the ROCB A/P is to assist Members in the A/P region to be efficient and effective Customs administrations Terms of Reference governs the roles and responsibilities of the ROCB A/P Official Opening Ceremony on 28 Sep. 2004
Mongolia Afghanistan Korea China Japan Iran Nepal Pakistan Bhutan India Laos Macau Hong Kong BangladeshThailand Maldives Myanmar Vietnam Philippines Cambodia Sri Lanka Malaysia Brunei Darussalam Singapore Papua New Guinea Indonesia Timor Leste Fiji Samoa Australia Green :Vice Chair Blue: ROCB location Orange: RTCs Vanuatu Tonga New Zealand
Terms of Reference of the ROCB A/P Roles of the ROCB A/P: To be the cornerstone of the region s approach to implementing its Capacity Building Strategy To support Members in their implementation of the objectives of the WCO at a regional level (Ref.) Preamble of the Convention Establishing the CCC to secure the highest degree of harmony and uniformity in Customs systems to promote co-operation between To carry out its role under the supervision and guidance of the WCO Secretariat, the Regional Vice-Chair and the Regional Directors General
Terms of Reference of the ROCB A/P Responsibilities of the ROCB A/P: To support the implementation of the international standards for Customs and trade To establish projects in individual members of economic regions To coordinate the activities of the RTCs (Regional Training Centers) To develop, promote and maintain partnerships with key regional stakeholders To identify and coordinate the needs of the region To represent the WCO at appropriate regional fora and promote the WCO agenda
WCO Customs Capacity Building Strategy Approved by the WCO Council in 2003 Outcomes of the High-Level Working Group on Capacity Building (Sep. 2002 and Mar. 2003) Participated by the WCO Members, international organizations, donors and representatives of business associations Main and important principles of the Strategy Political will (leadership and commitment) Holistic development (changes across the whole of the Customs) Ownership Steering visions with concrete targets Integrity as an integral part Partnership at the global, regional and national levels
Regionalization Approach General framework of principles for implementing the WCO Capacity Building Strategy with various expected advantages, such as: promote sharing ideas and actions to achieve the same regional objectives ensure efficient and effective allocation of WCO s limited resources facilitate regional cooperation ensure coherence and synergy of capacity building activities pursued by different donors in each region Implementation Mechanism (1) ROCB A/P - Cornerstone of the region s approach to implement WCO Capacity Building Strategy (2) 7 Regional Training Centers in the A/P region - Delivery of regionally relevant and adapted training
WCO Strategic Plan (Rolling Plan) A/P Regional Strategic Plan (24 Months) ROCB A/P Strategic Action Plan (24 Months) Annual CB/TA Needs Survey ROCB A/P Annual Work Plan (12 months)
A/P Regional Strategic Plan 2014-2016 2-year rolling plan Adopted at the Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference (April-May 2014) Assign coordinators for implementation Focus area 1: Trade Security and Facilitation (Australia and Korea) Focus area 2: Compliance and Enforcement (Hong Kong China and RILO A/P) Focus area 3: Capacity Building (ROCB A/P and Japan) Focus area 4: Research and Development (New Zealand and Thailand)
A/P Regional Strategic Plan 2014-2016 Focus area 3: Capacity Building Strengthen cooperation among members and regional bodies, and coordination with donors and partners Utilize available resources to enhance the capacity of regional members Further improve the quality of capacity building activities Develop and provide CB programs to members to assist their implementation of WCO conventions, instruments and tools Work to foster high ethical standards
ROCB A/P s Strategic Action Plan Mission To assist building capacity of Member Customs Administrations to continuously improve securing and facilitating trade Implementation of WCO Conventions, Instruments and Tools Enhanced Collaboration with Development Partners Improved CB Needs Analysis, Delivery and Management Enhanced Communication & Information Sharing
ROCB A/P Annual Work Plan Planning coordination Demand-driven capacity building planning cycle Annual Needs Survey Regional Strategic Plan (priorities) Donor coordination Joint workshops/seminars with Development Partners to complement each other Delivery coordination Complement each other with MERCATOR Programme Maximum use of the region s resource (accredited experts) ROCB A/P to coordinate RTCs activities and encourage RTCs to develop specialist training products
Mercator Programme Tailormade track Needs assessment Planning Delivery Monitoring TRS Various diagnostic reports Self-Assessment Annual Survey Strategic planning CB/TA delivery TRS Performance indicators Donor Funding/ Resource Mobilization Showcase success stories Customsbusiness Partnership ROCB CBM Funding Experts Accreditation of experts Approaching donors ROCB Regional integration Other areas Awarenessraising Regional WS with other government agencies Survey on TF National Committee National WS with other government agencies Coordination with other international organizations Promotion/Update CBM Compendium Overall track Harmonized Implementation Economic Competitiveness Package Promotion/update Customs-Business Partnership Guide Conference on regional integration Promotion of WCO standards for regional integration Promotion/update of Transit Handbook Promotion/update of TFA Implementation Guidance Upgrade of WCO s tools and best practices Promotion/update of HS, rule of origin and valuation Ensuring integrity 18
WTO TFA RKC ECP WCO Activities Source: World Customs Organization
Benefits of the Revised Kyoto Convention (1) Through its accession Certification as having international Customs standards in place Participation in future standard making Advantages in trade negotiation Advantages in Capacity building activities (2) Through its implementation Faster release and lower trade cost Increase revenue More FDI and economic competitiveness Source: World Customs Organization Protection of security, society and human health A basis for implementing other Customs instruments and tools
Situation on the RKC Accession (WCO Doc. PT0025) A/P region (33) Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam (19) (Not acceded yet) Afghanistan, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong China, Lao PDR, Macao China, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Samoa, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu (14)
Endorsed at the WCO Council in June 2012 ECP may provide practical implementation guidance for the WTO TFA ECP Action Plan (2013-2014) Development of new tools, including Transit Handbook and CBM Compendium ECP Action Plan - Phase II (2015-2016) 20 Actions in 4 categories, including Capacity Building delivery (5 Actions)
Kazunari IGARASHI Head of the ROCB A/P E-mail : igarashi@rocbap.org