GENERAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS INCLUSION OF ITEM ON OBSERVER STATUS FOR CUSTOMS COOPERATION COUNCIL IN AGENDA OF ASSEMBLY'S CURRENT SESSION

12 February 1999

Press Release
GA/9546

GENERAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS INCLUSION OF ITEM ON OBSERVER STATUS FOR CUSTOMS COOPERATION COUNCIL IN AGENDA OF ASSEMBLY'S CURRENT SESSION

19990212 Recommendation To Be Considered on Wednesday, 17 February

The General Committee this morning recommended the inclusion of an item entitled "Observer status for the Customs Cooperation Council in the General Assembly" in the agenda of the Assembly's current session. It also recommended that the item be considered in the plenary of the Assembly in the afternoon of Wednesday, 17 February.

The request for inclusion of the item on the Assembly's agenda was made by Chile in a 25 January letter addressed to the President of the General Assembly. An explanatory memorandum annexed to the request provides information on the organization.

Speaking before the General Committee this morning, the representative of Chile, Juan Larrain, said the granting of observer status to the organization would allow for harmonious cooperation and strengthening at all levels between it and the United Nations. His delegation believed that it would be helpful to both organizations and Member States and trusted that the General Committee would make the necessary recommendations.

The representative of the Russian Federation, supporting the request, said Chile had introduced a useful and important initiative.

The Customs Cooperation Council, better known as the World Customs Organization (WCO), is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 150 countries. Based in Brussels, the Council adopted the "World Customs Organization" as an informal working name in order to give a clearer indication of its nature and worldwide status.

The mission of the World Customs Organization is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations in the areas of compliance with trade regulations, protection of society and revenue collection, thereby contributing to the economic and social well-being of nations.

General Committee - 2 - Press Release GA/9546 5th Meeting (AM) 12 February 1999

Providing further information on the request, Ambassador Larrain said the Council was currently chaired by his country. To date, the WCO had established a network of agreements and memorandums of understanding with various bodies and agencies as was dictated by its mandate. Those included the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Economic and Social Council, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and the secretariats of various international conventions such as the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

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