Under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, the United Arab Emirates is set to host the 2026 World Customs Organization (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition. This event, organized by the WCO, will take place from January 28 to 30 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, courtesy of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security.
More than 1,000 representatives from WCO member countries, senior officials, customs experts, technology providers, a broader business community, international organizations, development partners, and academic institutions will participate in the conference, which is aimed at shaping the future of cross-border trade.
The theme of the conference and exhibition, “Customs Resilience in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation,” will focus on the future of border management, exploring how advanced technologies, data analytics, and diverse partnerships can enhance border protection, streamline and expedite trade flows, and outline the future of customs operations in an increasingly complex business and customs environment.
Lieutenant General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, stated that hosting the WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition for the first time in the Middle East underscores the UAE’s leadership in hosting global events and its vital role as a strategic partner for the WCO, significantly contributing to shaping the future of the global customs sector.
He emphasized the importance of the conference and exhibition, highlighting the diverse participation from government entities, the private sector, industrial and technological companies, experts, and key decision-makers in customs worldwide, along with the relevance of the topics on the agenda.
Ahsan Abdullah bin Lahij Al Falasi, Acting Director General of Customs and Port Security at the authority, noted that the conference brings together a distinguished and varied selection of government officials and private sector representatives, marking a significant step toward shaping the future of global customs work. The event also presents a major opportunity for dialogue regarding the most pressing issues facing customs administrations and facilitates the exchange of experiences and insights on how to address these challenges and improve customs performance.
Moreover, the conference will feature numerous accompanying regional activities and meetings, allowing private sector participants to showcase the latest customs technologies both regionally and globally. Attendees will have the chance to learn about innovative customs projects and smart solutions, as well as engage in interactive discussions between customs leaders and practitioners concerning emerging challenges and opportunities in the use of advanced technologies in customs work. Case studies and demonstrations will provide practical solutions from around the world, further creating extensive networking opportunities with partners, experts, and solution providers.