Arusha - Green Customs Initiative

implementation of the MEAs. The group identified some issues and recommendations of the
workshop were centred on those issues
WCO-RILO Perspective on Environmental Crime
In his presentation, Mr. John K. Bisonga from WCO-RILO for the East and Southern Africa
sub-region gave an overview on the role of WCO in combating illegal trade of
environmentally sensitive products and chemicals. He pointed out that the objective of WCO
is to promote various types of international instruments to encourage harmony and uniformity
among its Members and noted that one of the most practical instruments for securing the
highest degree of harmonization is the WCO Recommendations. Mr. Bisonga indicated that
WCO Members, members of the United Nations and its specialized institutions, and Customs
or Economic Unions may adopt any of those recommendations. However, he revealed that
WCO recommendations are not legally binding as Conventions normally are. He said that a
Member, Customs or Economic Union which accepts a recommendation does so with the
condition for application that they are implicitly committed, insofar as possible, to
implementing its provisions. In this regard, he explained that objectives of WCO
Recommendations are to promote co-operation between Customs administrations, facilitate
and expedite the implementation of international Conventions, and harmonize Customs
documents among others. He noted that WCO and its organs recognize that the use of the
nuclear and hazardous products is essential to meet countries’ social and economic goals.
However, he pointed out that WCO recognizes the potential threat of illicit movement of
ODS, nuclear and hazardous material and their wastes to people, the environment and
property. He informed that WCO has developed a Customs Communications Network (Cen).
He underscored that Customs detection capability in this area could be improved through
specialized training, provision of detection equipment, employment of modern enforcement
techniques, and close co-operation with the relevant agencies and communication of
information and intelligence.
He revealed that WCO through its Regional intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs) recognizes
the need for the prevention, detection and repression of illicit movement of such materials and
substances and continues to examine the possibility of identifying potential traffickers. In this
regard, he to afford the necessary attention to the formulation and implementation of
appropriate legislation, regulations and administrative guidelines to deal with all aspects of the
illicit trafficking. He indicated that the key responsibility of RILOs is to facilitate formulation
and implementation of appropriate legislation, regulations and administrative guidelines to
deal with all aspects of the illegal trade. He informed that WCO and UNEP have jointly
initiated coordinated Technical assistance activities including: Train the Trainer courses on
MEAs; training on intelligence and investigations; and cargo control techniques including risk
assessment, profiling and targeting, search techniques, gathering and preserving evidence,
international cargo documentation etc. Mr. Bisonga said that the Green Customs initiative
provides the opportunity to increase our efforts to co-operate on a bilateral, regional and
multilateral basis in facing these challenges. Further, he informed that has launched WCO E-
learning.
Overview on WCO Regional Centre for Capacity Building (ROCB)
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