Customs services must organize their operations based on the principles of ecological efficiency and sustainability to adapt to the environment, said Shahin Baghirov, Chairman of the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Azerbaijan, Report informs.
Baghirov made the remark at the Green Customs - Dialogue of Leading Customs Officials event, held within the framework of COP29.
The chairman noted that the SCC is implementing continuous reforms on environmental protection, ecological risk management, and the application of international standards in the fight against climate change.
"The World Customs Organization (WCO) plays a crucial role in developing international standards in this area, facilitating legitimate trade, and developing mechanisms for the application of customs control, making an invaluable contribution to the effective operation of member states. The SCC has participated in the WCO's Demeter joint customs operations to combat the illegal transboundary movement of waste and ozone-depleting substances," he stated.
The SCC Chairman emphasized the significance of the WCO's Green Customs concept in this context. "Created to promote ecological responsibility and sustainability in the field of customs management, this concept aims to highlight the important role of customs authorities in protecting the environment and solving ecological problems. The main goal is to facilitate the legitimate trade of environmentally sensitive goods while detecting and preventing illegal trade in this area," Baghirov explained.