On 04 February 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) informed that proving the strong interest in the use of preferential origin measures, around 300 in-person and numerous online participants from Customs administrations, intergovernmental organisations, the private sector, and academia gathered for the opening day of the “WCO Global Forum on Origin Interconnectivity” at its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
This two-day event, held from 03 to 04 February 2025 and organised under the theme “Facilitating Trade with Origin Interconnectivity: From Framework to Implementation”, allows participants to discuss advancements in Origin digitalisation and interconnectivity.
The Forum includes interactive discussions on key aspects of Origin interconnectivity, focusing on collaboration between Customs administrations, issuing authorities, the private sector, and regional economic communities. The ability to ask questions was well utilised by participants, even opening up further areas for future discussion. The value of having a forum open to both the public and private sectors was readily apparent in the interactions at the event and the networking on the sidelines.
In his opening address, the WCO Deputy Secretary General (SG) noted that the Forum served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, stating, “this event provides a space to share experiences, foster partnerships, and advance discussions on the digitalisation and interoperability of Origin-related processes”.
Emphasising the importance of strengthening Origin interconnectivity to facilitate trade, he thanked the Korea Customs Service (KCS) and the European Union (EU), through the EU-WCO Programme for Rules of Origin (RoO) in Africa, for co-funding this Forum to provide this valuable opportunity.
Additionally, the Deputy SG presented updates on the WCO’s efforts to digitalise origin data exchanges. Since 2022, the WCO has researched origin-related processes, resulting in a Feasibility Study to establish an Interconnectivity Framework for Certificates of Origin (CoO). This initiative, endorsed by the WCO Council, aligns with the “WCO Strategic Plan 2022-2025” and aims to improve automation and interoperability.
The opening also included two distinguished speakers, the Customs Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Belgium and the EU and the Head of Unit of DG TAXUD A6 at the European Commission, who both shared the importance of enhancing digital connectivity and trade facilitation. The WCO Acting Director of the Tariff and Trade Affairs Directorate and the WCO Acting Director of the Compliance and Facilitation Directorate moderated the opening as this event resulted from collaborative work between the Origin and Facilitation areas of the WCO.
Over the next day, the participants will continue to explore vital topics related to origin interconnectivity, focusing on seamless collaboration among Customs administrations, issuing authorities, the private sector, and Regional Economic Communities. Additionally, the Forum provides a significant opportunity for stakeholders to share practices and insight on the digitalisation of proof of origin in international trade.
The levels of engagement by participants show the willingness to continue to drive progress toward a more integrated and efficient global Origin certification system.
The WCO remains dedicated to supporting its Members in relation to origin digitalisation and origin in general, whether through capacity building, technical assistance, research and tools. Following the Global Forum and the work on origin digitalisation, an E-learning course will be developed to enhance Customs officials’ understanding of origin interconnectivity.