Algiers – The Director General of Customs, Major General Abdelhafid Bekhouch, participated on Wednesday in the “High-Level Customs Dialogue” held in Baku as part of the COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference, according to a statement from Algeria’s Customs Directorate.
In his address at the event themed “Green Customs,” Mr. Bekhouch emphasized the critical challenges faced by customs authorities and their essential role in facilitating sustainable international trade while adhering to environmental standards. COP29
Customs and Environmental Policy Integration
Mr. Bekhouch highlighted the pivotal role of customs in implementing environmental policies, asserting that effective control of goods flows can combat the illegal trade of environmentally harmful products. Customs, he said, also play a significant role in promoting the exchange of green technologies in collaboration with international partners. COP29
The COP29 conference, he noted, serves as an interactive platform for exchanging ideas and sharing best practices, fostering strong partnerships, and developing innovative strategies to integrate environmental considerations into the customs frameworks of participating countries.
Green Customs: A Priority for the Global Customs Community
Green customs, according to Mr. Bekhouch, are a major focus for the World Customs Organization (WCO). He elaborated on the crucial role of the Harmonized System (HS) in supporting eco-friendly supply chains, including identifying goods associated with plastic pollution and the sustainable production of plastics. COP29
He also discussed the introduction of new provisions in the Harmonized System to classify environmentally related products into categories such as:
- Environmentally harmful products (regulated or restricted).
- Eco-friendly products (encouraged for trade).
- Products designed to mitigate or repair environmental damage, with new codes enabling customs authorities to better track and manage these products at national borders.
Additionally, the 2022 update to the Harmonized System incorporated subheadings for hazardous chemicals regulated under international agreements, such as the Chemical Weapons Convention.
A Path Toward Circular Economies
Mr. Bekhouch also mentioned the WCO’s launch of a study exploring strategies to enhance the Harmonized System with a greater environmental focus. He called for global reflection on improving existing mechanisms to better address environmental concerns and support the transition to a circular economy. COP29
Towards Greener Trade Practices
In closing, Mr. Bekhouch stressed that recent updates to the Harmonized System aim to make it progressively “greener,” ultimately reducing the trade of environmentally harmful products while encouraging the flow of eco-friendly goods.
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Author: Nor-Eleslam
COP29, Green Customs, Abdelhafid Bekhouch, sustainable trade, environmental policies, World Customs Organization
