Pacific Customs leaders wrapped up a major regional summit in Guam this week, charting a strategic path for modernization and cooperation.

The 27th annual conference of the Oceania Customs Organization concluded Friday after five days of talks hosted at the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency.

Key outcomes of the conference include:

1. Expanded Membership: The admission of Tokelau as the 24th OCO member, strengthening the organization's regional coverage and collective capacity.

2. Gender Equality Commitment: The signing of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Declaration, committing members to promoting diversity and women's leadership in customs administrations.

3. Digital Transformation Roadmap: The adoption of a regional framework for customs digitalization, including guidelines for system interoperability and data sharing protocols.

4. Operation Domino II: The launch of a collaborative initiative to combat undervaluation in regional trade through enhanced data analytics and information sharing.

5. Green Customs Initiative: A commitment to strengthening customs' role in environmental protection, including measures to combat illegal wildlife trade and monitor waste shipments.

6. Professional Standards Framework: The approval of the OCO Professional Standards Framework (OPSF) to enhance training and capacity building for customs officials region-wide.

7. Leadership Transition: The appointment of Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service Udit Singh, as the new OCO Steering Committee Chair for 2025-2026, succeeding Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency Director Ike Peredo of Guam.

The meeting also launched a joint initiative to combat trade undervaluation, committed to environmental enforcement, and approved a training framework for customs officials.

Fiji will host the next OCO conference in 2026, followed by Kiribati and the CNMI in 2027 and 2028.