site.btaBulgarian, World Customs Authorities Heads Discuss Global Supply Chain

Bulgarian Customs Agency Director Nikolay Shushkov and World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary General Ian Saunders discussed the development of customs administrations and their role in the global supply chain as guarantors of legitimate trade, security and connectivity during a meeting in Brussels, the Customs Agency said on Sunday.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the WCO Council's annual sessions. The two also discussed the possibility of a visit by the WCO leadership to Bulgaria, highlighting the country's role as a key land gateway between Europe and Asia.

The 147th and 148th annual sessions of the WCO Council, held from June 25 to 27, brought together the heads of 187 customs administrations. Participants discussed the organization's work programme for the coming year, along with standards and guidelines on trade fraud, illicit trade, digitalization, performance measurement and the use of new technologies.

Earlier in the week, Shushkov also attended the 94th session of the WCO Policy Commission, where he stressed the need for customs administrations to strengthen cooperation on software development, interoperability and data-driven solutions to support their technological transition. He also welcomed closer regional cooperation.

The Policy Commission also reviewed the WCO's modernization process, five-year strategic plan and 2026-2027 implementation plan, and held a round table on customs-private sector partnerships to enhance public protection.

The Bulgarian Customs Agency has been a member of the WCO Policy Commission, representing the Europe region, since July 1, 2025. The commission is the organization's highest policymaking body after the Customs Co-operation Council.