WCO PICARD Conference 2013. Petersburg

WCO PICARD
Conference 2013

Invitation   letter

The Conference 2013 will be jointly organized
by the WCO, and the International Business and Law Institute of the National
Research University ITMO, Russian Federation, with support from the
International Network of Customs Universities (INCU) and the Customs
Administration of Russian Federation.

To learn more about the WCO PICARD Programme,
please visit the WCO website, click here

Political and public attention to regional
integration has been growing recently. Regional integration may be realized
by Regional Trade Agreements (examples include but are not limited to, the
Customs Union between Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan; the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP); the ASEAN Economic Community; and the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS). Regional integration is having a great
impact on Customs administrations around the world. Thus, this topic
encompasses analysis on the impacts on Customs related to the development,
launch, or management of regional integration.

2) The WCO Economic Competitiveness Package
(ECP)

The WCO Economic Competitiveness Package
(ECP), which was adopted by the WCO Council in June 2012, consists of WCO
instruments and tools that guide application of regulatory controls without
impeding legitimate businesses unnecessarily. At the core of the ECP is the
WCO’s Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) which outlines the principles of
simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures. Thus, this topic
encompasses analysis on the contribution Customs can make to economic
competitiveness, trade facilitation, and reducing supply chain barriers. More information

3) Enhancing Professionalism in Customs: how
to operationalize the PICARD 2020 Strategic Document?

The PICARD 2020 Strategic Document, which has
been adopted by the 4th WCO Capacity Building Committee (CBC) in February
2013, has identified ways forward to foster the vision and the collaboration
efficiency between the WCO and its partners in Research and Education. Within
the Professionalism pillar, four (4) elements are to be further developed:
the WCO Professional Standards; Human Resource Management and Leadership and
Management Development in Customs (related to Customs Career Paths
Development); Customs Training; and Education and Professional
Qualifications.

In examining and analyzing these issues,
conference participants will be encouraged to identify a range of solutions
to address identified concerns, with a particular emphasis on capacity
building, improving performance and research opportunities to address
identified needs.

Universities and research institutions with an
interest in Customs-related research and education;

Trade executives and service providers;
Representatives of other international organizations.