The 127th/128th Annual Sessions of the World Customs Organization’s Council-the Organization’s highest decision-making body-were held in Brussels from 14 to 16 July 2016 under the direction and guidance of the Chairperson, Mr. Zouhair Chorfi, Director General of the Moroccan Customs Administration, and with the participation of the Directors General of Customs representing the 180 Members of the WCO.
Members of the Council had the opportunity to listen to several keynote addresses, including a speech by Ms. Molly Fannon, Director, Office of International Relations, Smithsonian Institution on the problem of illicit trafficking of cultural objects and its impact on the common heritage of humanity.
Professor David Widdowson, who attended the Council Sessions in his role of INCU President, thanked Ms Fannon for her excellent presentation and advised that several universities around the world are currently developing educational programs and have research interests in the area of cultural heritage. He indicated that the INCU would welcome the opportunity to cooperate with the Smithsonian Institute in this regard.
The WCO subsequently adopted a Resolution on the Role of Customs in Preventing Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Objects.