To prepare for the organization of the 2023 WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition, which will take place in October 2023 in Hanoi, Mr. Ludovic Thanay worked with Vietnam Customs to survey the conference place and plan.

According to Mr. Ludovic Thanay, the 2023 Technology Conference and Exhibition is an important and outstanding annual event of the WCO, jointly held by WCO and Vietnam Customs Administration under the theme “Embracing the Digital Age: Leveraging Technology, Fostering Innovation, and Nurturing the Next Generation of Customs Professionals”.

Deputy Director General of Vietnam Nguyen Van Tho welcomes Mr. Ludovic Thanay. Photo: H.Nu

The conference includes discussion sessions, seminars, and exchanges of experience on technology applications in customs operations. The exhibition booths introducing modern technologies in customs operation will run in parallel to the conference.

Mr. Ludovic Thanay said, the conference will be attended by WCO’s leaders and leaders of member customs administrations, border management agencies of member countries, IT service providers, state management agencies, enterprises operating in international trade, scholars and researchers in the technology field. It is estimated that about 1,500 participants from countries will attend the conference.

Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Tho said that in 2023, it is an honor of Vietnam Customs to be selected by the WCO as the coordination unit to organize the 2023 Technology Conference and Exhibition.

To ensure security, safety and achieve the highest efficiency of the conference, Vietnam Customs has reported to the Ministry of Finance and the Government on the organization of this important event.

Also, Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Tho said, Vietnam Customs is implementing the Customs Development Strategy for 2030. Under the Strategy, Vietnam Customs sets the goal of "Taking reform and modernization as the basis; modernizing the customs management model as the focus, accelerating digital transformation in the Customs industry as the foundation for customs development in the new period. Therefore, the 2023 Technology Conference and Exhibition is an opportunity for Vietnam Customs to receive and consult science and technology and learn from experience in applying and using high technology from Customs administrations and WCO.

Vietnam Customs expects WCO to share its experience in organizing the conference so that Vietnam Customs can proactively develop and prepare necessary plans. Vietnam Customs also hopes that WCO and Customs administrations will strengthen their connection and help each other develop and effectively apply technology in management, supervision, and control in the field of customs, said Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Tho.