Ukrainian State Customs Service moderates Panel at WCO’s 5th Global Conference on Gender Equality and Diversity

On October 6, 2025, officials from the State Customs Service of Ukraine (Dershmytsluzhba) participated in the 5th Online Global Conference of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Network for Gender Equality and Diversity in Customs, contributing to the exchange of experience and the development of joint strategies.

The conference gathered a record number of experts—over 200 participants from Customs administrations worldwide and international organizations—significantly exceeding previous years’ attendance.

Conference Focus and Opening Remarks

The agenda focused on key issues dedicated to:

  • Creating a barrier-free working environment within Customs authorities;
  • Fostering an inclusive corporate culture;
  • Initiatives aimed at promoting the inclusion and recruitment of persons with disabilities into the Customs workforce;
  • The importance of Customs partnerships with stakeholders.

The event began with welcoming addresses from Ms. Isolde Murphy, Director of the WCO Implementation and Capacity Development Directorate; Mr. Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General; and Ms. Anoush der Boghossian, Head of the Trade and Gender Office at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Ukrainian Leadership in the First Panel

The WCO Secretariat invited Ms. Tetiana Korzhynska, a representative of the State Customs Service (DSPCZE), to moderate the first panel, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Customs,” which she chairs as head of the WCO’s Virtual Working Group for Gender Equality and Diversity. During her intervention, Ms. Korzhynska shared the achievements and initiatives of Ukraine and the State Customs Service on this topic.

Experience was also presented by officials from other Customs administrations and international organizations, including:

  • Mr. Victor Alejandro Lopez Deffer, a Lawyer, and Ms. Amada Mendez Guzman, Human Resource Manager from the Dominican Customs Directorate;
  • Ms. Gugulethu Jele, an Inclusion Advisor and Customs & Excise Revenue Officer from the South Africa Revenue Authority;
  • Mr. Graham Mott, Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), a specialized international intergovernmental body of the UN General Assembly focused on trade, investment, and development.

Second Panel and Conclusion

The second panel, “Customs leveraging partnerships to advance GED,” was chaired by Ms. Johanna Törnström, WCO Technical Officer for Gender Equality and Diversity.

Speakers for the second panel included:

  • Ms. Alejandra Arriaza, Director General of Chile Customs;
  • Ms. Karen Patricia Antinopai Tapia, Founder of ‘Mercado Ancestral’ (a private sector representative);
  • Ms. Aroa Santiago, Equanomics Global Manager, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP);
  • Ms. Ana Landa Ugarte, Gender Equality Seal Global Manager, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP);
  • Ms. Ogboru-Abori, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Finally, Mr. Ricardo Treviño Chapa, WCO Deputy Secretary General, thanked everyone for the valuable experience shared, and the lively discussions accompanied by a barrage of questions in the chat. The high level of interest confirmed the relevance of the chosen topic for the global Customs community.

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