ICAO, WCO promise greater collaboration

   Representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Customs Organization joined together at ICAO’s 38th assembly to reinforce their partnership and collaboration. 
   ICAO’s head Raymond Benjamin said “we’ve recognized that focusing only on the aviation leg of a given shipment is no longer enough.”
   He added ICAO will now focus on encouraging all players along the cargo supply chain to work together. 
   “Improved partnership at the international level is critical to how we meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the contemporary border and trade environment,” Kunio Mikuriya, WCO’s secretary general said in a statement. “Globalized trade and travel requires innovative solutions and enhanced coordination and connectivity between all stakeholders to efficiently secure and facilitate legitimate trade, support economic competitiveness and provide protection to societies. The WCO is grateful for the support and input of ICAO, the IMO and industry as we continue to adapt our customs frameworks to the needs of modern businesses and societies.”
   Oliver Evans, the new head of the International Air Cargo Association, said collaboration between ICAO and WCO at this level will allow goods to flow faster and will improve the health of the air cargo industry.
   “TIACA is encouraged to see ICAO and the WCO working more closely with each other and with industry on these issues and furthermore that this cooperation is already delivering practical tools, such as the new ICAO-WCO Moving Air Cargo Globally publication just launched this week, which will include TIACA as co-author in its next edition,” Evans said.
   ICAO’s 38th assembly runs through Oct. 4.