Green Customs Initiative Strengthens Cooperation to Support Customs Officers

The 19th meeting of the Green Customs Initiative (GCI) took place from 19 to 20 February 2025 in The Hague, Netherlands, with discussions focusing on strengthening the capacity of customs officers to enforce trade-related multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). The event was hosted by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a GCI partner.

The meeting brought together international enforcement organizations and MEA secretariats to share updates on relevant activities and explore areas for collaboration. Discussions covered key topics such as a draft report on customs, trade, and gender, as well as an information note on customs operations in free trade zones. Additionally, participants reviewed the 2025 GCI priorities and workplan.

The Green Customs Initiative, established in 2004, aims to equip customs and border control officers with the knowledge and tools needed to monitor legal trade and prevent illegal trade in environmentally sensitive commodities. These include ozone-depleting substances (ODS), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), hazardous chemicals, endangered species, and other regulated goods under trade-related MEAs. The initiative supports awareness-raising, capacity building, and enforcement efforts through partnerships with international organizations.

UNEP OzonAction, a GCI partner, contributes to these efforts through its mandate under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. As part of the Compliance Assistance Programme, OzonAction organizes customs training workshops in collaboration with National Ozone Units to enhance monitoring and enforcement of trade controls. It has also developed training materials and guidelines to support customs officers in identifying and preventing illegal trade in ODS.

The GCI meeting reaffirmed the importance of cooperation among international agencies to strengthen customs enforcement and ensure compliance with environmental agreements.