[Index]
UNECE and the WCO sign a Memorandum of Understanding
Geneva, 25 April 2001
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe (UNECE), which hosts the United Nations Centre for Trade
Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), signed today a Memorandum of
Understanding aimed at strengthening their collaboration in facilitating international
trade, and in simplifying and harmonizing trade procedures throughout the world. UN/CEFACT
is the United Nations worldwide focal point for trade facilitation and electronic
business.
The purpose of the MoU is to minimize the risk of divergent and
competitive approaches to trade facilitation and avoid duplication of efforts. The UNECE
and the WCO have a longstanding record of cooperation in the preparation and mutual
promotion of recommendations in trade facilitation.
Ms. Danuta Hübner, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and
Executive Secretary of the UNECE, stressed that trade facilitation is given high priority
in the United Nations system as a means to combat underdevelopment and poverty. She
further added, "If tariffs are cut, but trade procedures remain complex, full
benefits from trade liberalization are unlikely to be attained. Therefore, there is a
growing interest among all countries in the world in reducing or eliminating procedural
barriers in order to simplify and stimulate international trade."
Mr. Michel Danet, Secretary-General of the WCO, underlined the role of
such memoranda of understanding for the division of labour among the various international
organizations active in the field of simplifying and harmonizing customs and trade
procedures. The MoU emphasizes the common will of the two institutions to reinforce their
collaboration in promoting trade facilitation. He added, "The WCO and UN/CEFACT aim
at encouraging cooperation among all actors in international trade (administrations,
traders and transport) in order for trade facilitation to become the product of better
mutual understanding, to the benefit of development and economic growth."
The UNECE issues recommendations on best practices to promote the use
of simple trade procedures. To date, 30 such recommendations have been published,
5 of which have been adopted as ISO standards. The latest two recommendations promote
the adoption of self-regulatory instruments (codes of conduct) in electronic commerce and
a new list of codes for types of means of transport. The UNECE has developed and
maintained the only global standard for electronic data interchange, UN/EDIFACT, and is
now working on a new global standard based on XML.
The WCO, representing 156 customs organizations throughout the world,
aims at enhancing the effectiveness of customs administration. The WCO establishes,
maintains, supports and promotes international instruments for the harmonization,
modernization and uniform application of simplified and effective Customs systems. The WCO
is now promoting the implementation of its Revised Kyoto Convention, which can become the
foundation for streamlining customs procedures in today’s world.
For more information, please contact:
Hans Hansell, Deputy Director
Trade Division
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Telephone: (+ 41 22) 917 24 57
Telefax: (+ 41 22) 917 00 37
E-mail: [email protected]
Ref: ECE/TRADE/01/06