His Excellency, President of Customs Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, participated in the Regional Meeting of Customs Directors for North Africa, the Near, and the Middle East, which was organized by the General Secretariat of the Arab League in Cairo.
The meeting discussed strategies for strengthening coordination and cooperation among regional countries and the World Customs Organization (WCO). It also reviewed recent customs developments in the region, discussed the work of the WCO’s Policy Commission, and examined its recommendations for member states. The feasibility and potential impact of appointing a technical attaché for member states at the WCO was also tackled.
During the meeting, a World Customs Organization (WCO) representative briefed the audience on the organization's 2025–2028 strategic plan, outlining its vision and objectives. The meeting also discussed reports on customs operations and information exchange among Middle Eastern, Near Eastern, and North African countries and the outcomes of these joint efforts. Additionally, the meeting reviewed the Regional Office for Capacity Building's annual report and its achievements over the past year.
HE Customs President lauded the efforts invested in preparing for the meeting and the active and valuable participation of the member states. He highlighted the importance of advancing international customs work by developing global standards, enhancing cooperation, and strengthening capacity-building initiatives to facilitate legitimate trade.
