Mikuriya tapped to lead WCO

Kunio Mikuriya, a Japanese national, was elected late last week to serve as the World Customs Organization's next secretary general, according to both industry and customs sources. 

He succeeds two-term WCO Secretary General Michel Danet, effective Jan. 1. Mikuriya serves as WCO deputy secretary general, a post he has held for a term from January 2002 to December 2006, and starting a second term in January 2007.

This election was significant, marking the first time that a customs official from Asia will serve in the Brussel-based organization's top spot.

Eight other customs officials from around the world also campaigned for the WCO secretary general's post, including:

   Douglas Tweddle, director of customs and international for U.K. Customs.

   Lars Karlson, a Swedish national and the WCO's director of capacity building.

   Jouko Lempiainen, counselor and customs permanent representative of Finland to the European Union.

   Philippe Kearney, deputy director of international trade for French Customs.

   Hans Van Bodegraven, director of customs and consumer taxes for the Dutch Ministry of Finance.

   Gaozhang Zhu, director general for China Customs Department of Intenational Cooperation.

   Boubacar Camara, general inspector of state in Senegal.

   Noel Colpin, administrator of customs and execise in Belgium.

   The candidates received support from their national governments to run for the post. They campaigned hard, often traveling the globe to seek support from fellow customs administrations. It doesn't matter how large the country's customs or its influence within the WCO, one vote per member administration is cast at the June WCO Council meeting. 

Source: American Shipper