Japan supports WCO (World Customs Organization)’s Counter-Terrorism Initiative for Asian Countries

Government of Japan has decided to provide a funding in the amount of US$ 500,000 to WCO (World Customs Organization) to implement its counter-terrorism initiative for the Asia/Pacific Region.

This aims to continue to ensure the stability and security of the region and society through WCO’s security project which launched in 2017 and has supported countering terrorism and violent extremism in the Asian countries, who have been facing emerging threats, such as ISIL (Da'esh).

The WCO continues support to reinforce the counter terrorism measures at the borders to prevent the inflow of explosives and arms, through the security project. The project will further strengthen the capacity of customs administrations in the region to detect the chemicals to produce explosive devices, and to analyze the risk of air passengers and cargoes.

On Friday 8 March 2019, Ambassador Hajime Hayashi met Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, the Secretary General of the WCO, at the headquarters of the WCO for the exchange of Verbal Notes for the implementation of the project. “Counter-terrorism initiatives run by the WCO support the determination of the international Customs community to fight terrorism at every level in order to eliminate its destructive impact on international trade and economic development”, said Dr. Mikuriya. “Indeed, the Government of Japan’s continuing support to the WCO will go a long way in further strengthening the security capabilities of Customs administrations in the Asia/Pacific region.”

Ambassador Hayashi stressed that Japan highly appreciate the WCO activities to address the emerging issues faced by WCO Member Customs administrations, such as anti-terrorism, under the leadership of Secretary General Mikuriya. Moreover, he emphasized that the funded project, which has already been appreciated, would continue to render much deeper and stronger cooperation, as well as mutual trust, not only with the WCO, but also with its Members in the Asia/Pacific region.