WCO Secretary General highlights the challenges for resilient global supply chains during ADBI Annual Conference

On 29 November 2022, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) delivered a virtual keynote address at the 2022 Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) Annual Conference dedicated to "Fostering Resilient Global Supply Chains Amid Risk and Uncertainty".

The conference was opened by Mr. Tetsushi Sonobe, Dean and CEO of ADBI, and followed by welcoming remarks by Mr. Masatsugu Asakawa, President of Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In his speech, Dr. Mikuriya, underscored the importance of resilient global supply chains for the global customs community and outlined various challenges in addressing the changing trade landscape, namely digitalization, data standardization and disruptive technologies, e-commerce, environment, and conflict at borders. He mentioned the pivotal role played by Customs in enhancing resilient global supply chains, and reiterated the need to further strengthen collaboration between border agencies. He expressed his hope that the conference could further enhance dialogue and collaborative efforts.

ADBI is observing this year the 25^th anniversary of its founding as the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Tokyo-based think tank under the theme "Toward Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development in Asia and the Pacific."