THE ROLE OF ROCB IN STRENGTHENING CAPACITY BUILDING IN EUROPE. CHALLENGES AND WAYS FORWARD . Vitali Mikeladze ( ROCB ,

1. THE ROLE OF ROCB IN STRENGTHENING CAPACITY BUILDING IN EUROPE.CHALLENGES AND WAYS FORWARD.VitaliMikeladze(ROCB , Baku) The 4th European ROCB/RTCs Meeting 14-16 November 2011, Baku, Azerbaijan

2. Regional Office for Capacity Building • ROCB – is a regional Capacity Building initiative, driven by the efforts and needs of the Members of the region • ROCB – is to support regional Members in mobilising resources and developing partnerships to deliver wide range of services, training and technical assistance activities • Status of ROCB - is based on a formal agreement between the WCO and the Government of the host country (subject to discussion at the Council in June 2012)

3. Background ROCBs • Asia-Pacific: Bangkok (Thailand)- 2004 • East and South Africa: Nairobi (Kenya)- 2005 • Americas: Buenos Aires (Argentina)- 2007 • North Africa, Near and Middle East: Abu Dhabi (UAE)- 2007 • West and Central Africa: Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire)- 2008 • Europe:Baku (Azerbaijan)- October 2011

4. Establishment of ROCB in Baku • Adoption : May 2009, DGs Conference in Bergen (Norway) • MOU between WCO-Government of Azerbaijan – November 2009 • 2010 - RVC calls for Members’ funding and staffing issues • January 2011- Think Tank meeting in Moscow: Regional CB Strategy for Europe and ROCB Concept Paper • May 2011- Europe’s Donor conference in Brussels(to shape up a kick-off budget) • October 2011 – ROCB opening

5. ROCB in Europe

6. ROCB: Key Roles and Responsibilities • To plan and coordinate Customs CB activities in the region • To identify Members’ CB needs and support in their modernisation • To identify regional needs and insure CB assistance • To coordinate the use and implementation of WCO tools and practices in the region. • To develop staff capable of supporting Members reforms

7. ROCB: Key Roles and Responsibilities(2) • To support Customs-to Customs cooperation • To promote Customs-to Business partnership in the region • To raise Members awareness of Integrity programmes • To coordinate activities of the Regional Training Centers • To develop and maintain partnership with key stakeholders • To provide solutions to overcome language constraints

8. Benefits for Europe’s Members Geographical location of ROCB in Baku: • Located in the Eastern part of Europe ROCB makes excellent linkage with WCO Secretariat in Brussels, bridging the whole continent • In the center of the strategically important region, focus for all major donors (UN, EC, WB, ADB, IDB, EEC, EDB, new CU, etc.) • Down to all Columbus programme recipients of the region • Close to all less/least developed countries of Europe (18) • Close to the WCO Regional Training Centers in Europe and to other WCO ROCBs (Asia-Pacific; MENA) • Open for any Member of the region (as a contact point/rep-office)

9. Benefits for Europe’s Members Operational Benefits of ROCB in Baku: • Operates on behalf of and facilitates all the Members of the region • Brings WCO Capacity Building assistance down to Members of the region • Makes WCO assistance services and tools much closer, clear and easy to access and implement by Members • Simplifies Members communication and exchange of information across the region (no language barriers) • Regional database on Customs related projects/donor activities; on Members best practice and academic research material; on regional training courses/events delivered by WCO and other donors etc.

10. Benefits for Europe’s Members Operational Benefits of ROCB in Baku (2): • Communication and Information sharing tool • Efficient donor coordination function • Expands Members operational capabilities within the region • Venue for regional/international forums organised by Members • Accommodation and other services for Members’ staff on mission

11. Benefits for Europe’s Members Benefits of recruiting staff locally: • Broad Customs and modernization experience • Wide scope of networking contacts across the region and globally • Knowledge of the region and its specificities • Knowledge of local languages

12. Strategic Goals for Europe region (2011-2014) • Supporting implementation of sustainable standards for safe, secure and fluid trade • Improving coordination and communication mechanism in the region • Fostering RM • Strengthening cooperation on enforcement • Enhancing collection of taxes and duties • Following global trends and developments • Supporting Integrity programmes • Helping Members to secure funding for their CB projects

13. ROCB in Baku: Current Priorities 1. Office functionality • Registration, opening account, accreditation • Producing job specifications, launching recruitment of administrative staff • Production of standard rules for ROCB functioning • Producing job descriptions for accredited staff and their training 2. Communication and cooperation with Members • Producing regional web-site and logo • Keeping producing a regional Scientific Journal • Promoting new ROCB to Members of the region • Facilitating staff- recruitment process

14. ROCB in Baku: Current Priorities (2) • Creating a library of WCO documents/tools • Translating documents 3.Technical and Management Assistance • Conducting Members CB needs survey • Drafting (with WCO) a regional Action plan for 2012-2013 to meet Members needs • Enhancing cooperation with RTCs • Developing pool of CB experts • 4. Developing partnership with donors • Examining options to fund ROCB activities • Promoting the role of ROCB at International fora 5. Supporting implementation of WCO SAFE FOS • Facilitating to the delivery of WCO TTA events

15. ROCB in Baku Executive Staff: • Director • Executive officers - ??? Status: WCO Technical Attaches Local Administrative Staff: • 3 (permanent) • 2 IT specialists (temporary)

16. URGENT MESSAGE TO MEMERS: • STAFFING!!!!! • s.o.s !!!

17. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION vitali.mikeladze@customs.gov.az