The space designated for the congress "International Customs Cooperation in the Digital Age", organized by the General Council of the Colleges of Customs Agents and Customs Representatives (CGAA), was completely seen overflowed due to the large crowd. Nearly 150 attendees packed the venue, while a similar number were unable to register due to capacity limitations, which underscores the enormous interest from the sector in the topics addressed.
The day was opened by Antonio Llobet, president of the CGAA, who emphasized the "profound transformation that customs is undergoing, not only in Europebut also at a global level.” Llobet highlighted SIL as the ideal setting for this event, since “it brings together innovation, cooperation, and a commitment to modern, efficient, and sustainable logistics.” The president of the CGAA thanked the speakers for their participation, acknowledging them for their qualification and careerand described the congress as a "platform for structured dialogue" among all actors in the customs community. In this sense, defended the need to strengthen public-private collaboration and claimed the role of the CGAA as a permanent interlocutor with the Administration. He also emphasized the training and digitalization as essential pillars for an effective transition to the new European model. Llobet urged attendees to share ideas and proposals so that the session would become an opportunity to "build consensus, forge alliances, and generate proposals that can be presented to policymakers," appealing to a collective commitment to create "modern, efficient, and cooperative" customs.
El Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium (CZFB), organizer of SIL, showed its support for the CGAA initiative, with the presence of Pere Navarro, special delegate of the State, and Blanca Sorigué, general director of the CZFB, who greeted the attendees.
papers The congress was attended by prominent international and national figures. Ricardo Treviño, Deputy Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization (WCO)Speaking from Brussels, Treviño pointed out that "we are living in times of profound change" and the need for cooperation to address the "inefficiencies and difficulties" posed by new technologies. He emphasized the importance of "building customs through data interpretation" and mentioned the Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Big Data as the most used technologies, in addition to referring to the Blockchain, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and drones.
For its part, Nerea Rodríguez, director of the Customs Department at II.EE., presented the key elements of his department's 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, which addresses the reorganization of the information and assistance model, cybersecurity and data protection challenges, artificial intelligence strategy, new business models, and e-commerce. He also detailed the action plan for improving the customs clearance process. María González, Deputy Director General of Customs Management, addressed the current situation and future prospects of Spanish customs in terms of adaptation, innovation, and cooperation.
From Permanent Representation of Spain in the European Union, javier campillo, Minister of Finance, focused his speech on the path towards the Single European Customs and the challenges associated with adaptation, innovation and cooperation, highlighting the growth of e-commerce, the complexity of customs processes and the existing fragmentation.
The international bloc was completed with the interventions of Nicolette Van der Jagt, Director of the European Association of Freight Forwarders, Logistics Service Providers and Customs Agents (CLECAT), and Massimo de Gregorio, president of the International Confederation of Customs Brokers (CONFIAD). Both speakers, whose organizations maintain close ties to the CGAA, highlighted the importance of private customs associations in the reform and digitalization processes. The series of presentations concluded with Nelson Brens, President of the International Association of Professional Customs Brokers (ASAPRA), who provided information on initiatives by the World Bank and other international bodies to build a customs future that contributes to global development goals.
Prior to the congress, the CGAA held a plenary session at the headquarters of the Barcelona College. Among the topics discussed, the latest draft of the reform of the CAU and actions to mitigate its most harmful aspects for the profession, the dysfunctions in the Border Control Posts, the future agreement on Gibraltar and its impact on operators, and the dramatic situation in Ceuta and Melilla.
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