[Issued by: Ministry of Transport and Singapore Customs]

1    Singapore is collaborating with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) to jointly organise a conference on the theme ‘Enhancing Air Cargo Security and Facilitation – Synergy Through Co-operation’ on 5 and 6 July 2012 at the Orchard Hotel, Singapore.  Mr Raymond Benjamin, Secretary-General of the ICAO, and Mr Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary-General of the WCO, will deliver the keynote speeches at the Joint Conference.  Mr Pang Kin Keong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Singapore, will give the opening address.

2    The Joint Conference, which is 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 aim is to identify 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.

3    In conjunction with the Joint Conference, the ICAO and WCO will 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.  The Joint Conference and its associated Joint Communiqué both 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.

Attached: Background information on the joint Conference