On 30 January 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) announced that it had celebrated International Customs Day (ICD) on 24 January 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, taking this opportunity to present its theme for the year: “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity”.
The WCO Secretary General (SG) welcomed guests to WCO Headquarters and highlighted the significance of ICD, noting that since its first plenary session as the Customs Co-operation Council more than 70 years ago, the WCO has served as the premier forum dedicated to advancing Customs matters, providing guidance and supporting Customs administrations in addressing the challenges they face in fulfilling their missions.
The SG explained that this year’s theme is to challenge the WCO Secretariat and the international Customs community to communicate more effectively to the world about how their individual and collective work makes a difference.
“When we tell the world how we are helping deliver greater efficiency, security and prosperity, we create the possibility of greater understanding, greater appreciation and greater investment,” the SG said. The SG stated that Customs helped sustain and improve the international trading system and support economic vitality worldwide - Customs’ role in this respect must be publicised globally.
As the ICD event was co-organised by the Belgian General Customs and Excise Administration (Belgian Customs), its General Administrator (GA) expressed his full support for the WCO’s 2025 theme. The GA described how technology was increasing the efficiency of Belgian Customs’ work, enabling it to operate more swiftly and accurately. The GA concluded by describing how national and international collaboration played a key role in ensuring that Customs kept borders secure. The GA stated that he underscored the importance of Customs’ role in facilitating trade.
Earlier in the day, the SG participated in Belgian Customs’ ICD celebration at the City of Brussels Town Hall. This event was attended by the Chairperson of the Belgian Federal Finance Public Service (SPF Finances); the Director-General of DG TAXUD; the Deputy General Administrator of the Belgian General Administration of Customs and Excise; and the GA.
The celebration included speeches, a medal ceremony for Customs officer honorees, and a military parade on the Grand Place led by the Belgian Ministry of Finance Band. The festivities ended at the iconic Manneken-Pis statue, appropriately dressed as a Customs officer for the occasion.
This year’s ICD celebration showcased Customs’ role in international trade and its commitment to efficiency, security and prosperity, the dedication of its employees, and the importance of increasing visibility and awareness of Customs’ impact. The theme for the year sets a clear course for the Customs community in 2025.