Kunio Mikuriya has been elected as the new Secretary General of the World Customs Organization at the Council session held on 28 June. Mr. Mikuriya has extensive international experience, and has abroad knowledge not only in the customs and trade area but also in the fields of economy, public finance, and financial markets. As Deputy Secretary General since 2002, Mr. Mikuriya has demonstrated outstanding ability to achieve outcomes highly appreciated by other international organizations such as the WTO as well as the WCO Membership, exemplifying the necessary experiences and abilities for the WCO Secretary General.

Our Belgian Administrator of Customs and Excise Noël Colpin was one of the nine candidates for this important post at the WCO. The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an international organization consisting of 171 members, which aims to promote harmonization and unification of customs procedures and international cooperation. The WCO has significantly contributed to the development of global trade and economy by securing and facilitating trade, as well as protecting intellectual property rights and the environment. The Secretary General is the chief executive of the WCO Secretariat who plans and implements the policy and budget of the WCO, including assistance to developing countries, and represents the WCO Secretariat to attend meetings of other international organizations.