Building on the Arab Union of Customs Clearance Professionals’ commitment to providing technical support to Arab customs authorities, enhancing regional integration, and adopting best international practices—and within the framework of the cooperation agreement signed between the Union and the General Secretariat of the Arab League—the Union, in collaboration with the Arab Economic Integration Department at the Arab League, is organizing a regional workshop titled:
“Green Customs: The Role of Customs in Enforcing Multilateral Environmental Agreements Related to Trade and Combating Environmental Crimes.”
The workshop will be held on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, on the sidelines of the 37th meeting of the Customs Procedures and Information Committee, with the participation of representatives from customs administrations across Arab countries.
The workshop aims to raise awareness about the role of customs authorities in implementing environmental agreements related to trade and to enhance their capabilities to combat the illegal trafficking of sensitive environmental goods such as banned chemicals, hazardous waste, and endangered species.
The workshop activities began with an opening speech by Mr. Samah Abdel Karim, representative of the Economic Integration Department at the Arab League Secretariat, who welcomed the participating members representing customs administrations from Arab countries and expressed gratitude to the Arab Union of Customs Clearance Professionals for its efforts in supporting Arab states.
Mr. Samir Abu Al-Nasr, Secretary-General of the Union, also welcomed the participants and thanked the Arab League Secretariat, noting that the workshop comes within the framework of implementing the cooperation agreement with the Arab League Secretariat and following the recommendations of the 36th meeting of the Customs Procedures Committee.
The program includes a review of key multilateral environmental agreements, including:
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Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
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Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
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Chemical Weapons Convention
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Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure
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CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
The workshop also features practical sessions and case studies highlighting enforcement mechanisms and international best practices in this field.
Additionally, the workshop aims to educate Arab customs officers on mechanisms to facilitate legitimate trade, curb environmental smuggling, and strengthen the role of customs in protecting national and regional environmental security.
This workshop is part of the Union’s ongoing efforts to promote Arab integration and joint action to address cross-border environmental challenges and to protect human health and natural resources in Arab countries.
