Where There’s a Way, There's a Will: The World Customs Organization's Capacity-Building in the Field of Strategic Trade Control Enforcement

January 31, 2019

Journal Article

Where There’s a Way, There's a Will: The World Customs Organization's Capacity-Building in the Field of Strategic Trade Control Enforcement

Abstract

The World Customs Organization’s approach to capacity building in the domain of strategic trade control enforcement has been exceptionally effective. This article outlines what the WCO has done, documents some of the impacts, and examines factors contributing to its effectiveness. An important factor contributing to the WCO's success has been a focus on influencing senior policy makers at the national level in addition to upgrading working-level skills and abilities. This strategy in turn owes its success, at least in part, to the WCO’s legitimacy and norm-setting ability as a member-driven international organization, a customizable approach adaptive to various national circumstances, adherence to universal international mandates such as United Nations Security Council Regulation 1540, and the ability to couple training and operational activities.

Revised: February 10, 2021 | Published: January 31, 2019

Citation

McColm J., M. Ali, A. Vas, P.M. Heine, and D. Pal. 2019. Where There’s a Way, There's a Will: The World Customs Organization's Capacity-Building in the Field of Strategic Trade Control Enforcement. Strategic Trade Review 5, no. 7:45-52. PNNL-SA-140240.