Singapore, ICAO, and WCO Organise Air Cargo Security Conference

SINGAPORE, July 4 (Bernama) -- Singapore is collaborating with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) to jointly organise a conference on "Enhancing Air Cargo Security and Facilitation – Synergy Through Co-operation" at a hotel here this Thursday and Friday (July 5-6). In a statement, the Ministry of Transport and Singapore Customs said the event, the first such collaboration with the ICAO and WCO, will bring together more than 300 aviation security and customs authorities as well as private sector stakeholders from 40 countries. The conference is aimed at identifying ways to further enhance co-ordination and co-operation to strengthen aviation and border security while facilitating the secure and smooth movement of air cargo. The ICAO and WCO are also expected to issue a Joint Communiqué to pave the way for enhanced collaboration between both organisations in securing air cargo from acts of unlawful interference, while facilitating the movement of goods by air worldwide. It would also build on the existing Memorandum of Understanding signed between the ICAO and WCO in June 2011, and reaffirm the parties’ commitment towards working for the common goal of a secure and efficient air cargo supply chain. Raymond Benjamin, Secretary-General of the ICAO and Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary-General of the WCO, will deliver the keynote speeches at the conference, while Pang Kin Keong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Singapore, will give the opening address. --BERNAMA