Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition 2026 opened on Wednesday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), hosted by the WCO under the theme "Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation."
During the opening session, Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, said the UAE's hosting of the conference reflects its leadership's vision to position the country as a global hub for innovation and trade facilitation, supported by advanced digital customs systems.
He said, "The UAE adopts a proactive approach to harnessing advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, and smart surveillance systems, to develop the national customs sector, support a secure and open trade environment, and strengthen integration between identity, security, and customs within a unified federal framework."
Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahaj Al Falasi, Director General of Customs and Port Security at the Authority, said the UAE's hosting of the event, coinciding with International Customs Day, reinforces its global leadership in trade facilitation and its role as a strategic partner in the international customs ecosystem.
Ian Saunders, Secretary-General of the WCO, said customs administrations play a fundamental role in economic and social prosperity through their daily vigilance against evolving border threats. He said the conference will examine how innovation can enhance border security, facilitate legitimate trade and build resilience in global supply chains, covering areas such as risk management, data analysis, cybersecurity, sustainability and e-commerce.
Saunders highlighted WCO initiatives including the Cargo Targeting System, which helps customs administrations manage data, identify high-risk consignments and align risk assessment with international best practices. He also referred to the Smart Security Devices Initiative, outlined in a WCO study issued in June 2025, which uses Internet of Things technologies to secure supply chains and enable continuous customs vigilance through smart seals, electronic locks and connected containers.
A press conference, which followed the opening session and exhibition tour, highlighted the importance of international cooperation and technology in enhancing customs efficiency, risk management, and anti-smuggling efforts.
On the sidelines of the event, Mohammed Al Baloushi, Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing at Abu Dhabi Customs, outlined to Aletihad how the entity is using the global platform to showcase its latest innovations.
"Abu Dhabi Customs is showcasing its most innovative solutions and latest technological projects to the 186 member states of the World Customs Organisation, as well as representatives of relevant international organisations and institutions and the business community," he said.
He explained that these projects rely on advanced technology and artificial intelligence to "enhance the efficiency of the customs system, facilitate trade, ensure the resilience of global supply chains, and strengthen border security," reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a global logistics and trade hub.
Al Baloushi said the exhibition provides an opportunity to highlight a range of advanced digital services and systems. "During the exhibition, we are showcasing our digital services and the hidden customs system," he said, pointing to key solutions including "customs clearance solutions based on generative artificial intelligence, pre-arrival and offshore clearance procedures, and the Trusted Digital Trade Corridor project".
Highlighting the broader significance of the event, Al Baloushi said: "The World Customs Organisation Technology Conference and Exhibition is an important opportunity to promote integration and strengthen customs partnerships between customs administrations, border authorities, the business community, technology providers and relevant partners."
Speaking to Aletihad, Saunders stressed the importance of technology and data in modern customs operations.
"This conference is something the WCO organises roughly every year, as technology and data are indispensable to the way Customs does business," he said. With global trade volumes increasing, threats becoming more complex, and legitimate trade growing in scale and sophistication, he noted that technology has become a critical enabler for customs administrations worldwide.
He explained that the core objective of Customs is to make "the best possible decisions as early as they can be made," ensuring that trade flows are not disrupted while maintaining the security of societies.
Saunders said the conference aims to foster active dialogue among participants to address key challenges. "We want to understand concerns related to data, identify how we can improve, ensure access to the right information, and explore the technological enablers that allow Customs to operate more efficiently and effectively at borders around the world," he said.
He added that a key priority is turning discussion into action. "We want to make sure that the conversations that happen here lead to active collaboration, so that ideas and services become part of how individual customs administrations operate once they return home."
With around 1,500 participants attending, Saunders said the goal is to create a critical mass of ideas that can be implemented globally. "The best approaches come from the best ideas, and our hope is that these ideas will help drive greater customs efficiency around the world," he said.
