I am really happy to learn that the World Customs Organizations SAFE WG launches discusions on SAFE 2.0. I and my old colleague Dietmar Jost from GEA, promoted this idea ”it is time for SAFE 2.0” at the final summary panel debate at the WCO 4th Global AEO Conference in Kampala, Uganda last year.

The SAFE Framework is the leading international standard regulating the international supply chain of world trade today. To date 169 countries have signed to implement SAFE today.

We really need an update of this landmark standard that first was adopted in 2005.

I had the pleasure to work on the original version in 2004-2005 and I then lead the implementation work through the Columbus programme 2006-2010.

It is time for SAFE 2.0 or even SAFE 3.0 to emerge. We need it.

Read the article here: WCO SAFE Working Group launches discussion on #AEO 2.0

I had the fortune to meet a lot of old friends in Asunción this seek.

Here with Enrique Canon, one of my best friends, Chairperson of the World Customs Organization and National Director of Uruguay Customs.

At the meeting woth Patricio Castro and Selvin Lemus from the International Monitary Fund (IMF).

A cocktail with my Brazilian friends, Marcus Vinicius Vidal Pontes Under Secretary and Head of Customs at the Federal Revenue Authority Brazil and his colleague Antonio Coelho, and the Chair of the World Customs Organization Private Sector Consultative Group, John Mein.

This week I was invited to give a Key Note Speech about Brexit, Border Processing and Trusted Trader Concepts at the XL Top Level meeting of COMALEP in Asunción, Paraguay.

I also moderated a panel and work group on Government-Business cooperation on the open session yesterday.

We had very interesting meetings this week with top level participants from Governments from more than twentyfive countries from South America, Central America, North America and the Caribbeans plus private sector and invited guests from various countries around the world.

I also had a number of positive bilateral meetings with participating delegations and private sector representatives.

It is always a pleasure to visit beautiful Paraguay.