BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6adc17f5bdd92 DTSTART:20261130T133000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20261130T143000Z LOCATION:Riyadh\, Saudi Arabia SUMMARY:Global Supply Chain Forum 2026 session: From digital customs to con nected supply chains – building smart\, resilient\, and integrated bord er ecosystems CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:DescriptionThe Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) is t he largest technical cooperation programme of UNCTAD. It has supported ove r 100 developing economies in digitalizing customs and facilitating trade\ , and has continuously evolved by adapting new technology\, to improve eff iciency\, strengthen transparency and build more resilient and inclusive t rade systems.Digital transformation is no longer only about automating Cus toms procedures. The present challenge is to connect Customs\, Partner Gov ernment Agencies\, ports\, logistics operators\, traders and other supply- chain stakeholders around trusted data\, coordinated processes and risk-ba sed decision-making.The future of trade facilitation is not simply a paper less Customs processing environment. It is a connected\, interoperable and coordinated border ecosystem in which trusted data moves efficiently betw een government and supply-chain stakeholders\, enabling faster decisions\, stronger controls and greater resilience.This responds directly to ASYCUD A’s strategic direction of setting up a conducive environment to streaml ine processes and exchange trade-related data and documentation\, while ad vancing border-agency coordination and cooperation. It also reflects where the Customs conversation is moving in 2026: interoperability\, trusted da ta exchange\, secure digital pathways\, risk management\, resilience and m ulti-stakeholder collaboration.ProgrammeOpening remarks and presentation o f the panelists by the Session’s moderator.QuestionsMany developing coun tries and Small Island Developing States are pursuing digital transformati on through initiatives such as ASYCUDA\, Single Window platforms\, and bro ader supply chain digitalization. From a government leadership perspectiv e\, what were the challenges faced by your country during this digital tra nsformation? What can countries do to accelerate this digital transformati on and ensure its long-term sustainability? What institutional coordinati on mechanisms and strategic partnerships are needed to build an integrated digital trade and supply chain ecosystem that enhances competitiveness\, resilience\, and economic development?Customs digitalization has advanced significantly with solutions such as ASYCUDA\, improving clearance efficie ncy and risk management. However\, when other border agencies maintain fra gmented processes and information requirements\, the benefits of digitaliz ation can be constrained. From your country’s perspective\, what are the limitations of Customs-led digitalization\, and how essential is a Nation al Single Window to achieving genuine end-to-end digital transformation ac ross border agencies and strengthening overall supply chain resilience?As Customs administrations increasingly leverage ASYCUDA to process and manag e trade data\, and make use of platforms such as ASYHUB to facilitate the secure exchange of information across borders\, should the primary objecti ve be to collect even more data from traders and supply chain actors\, or to make better and smarter use of the information that already exists? In your view\, how can data sharing and interoperability through ASYCUDA comp onents help Customs strengthen risk management\, improve trade facilitatio n\, and enhance supply chain resilience without increasing burdens on the private sector?ASYCUDA has long played a central role in automating Custom s declarations and streamlining border procedures. Looking ahead\, how can emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learnin g be leveraged within platforms like ASYCUDA to enhance risk management\, predictive analytics\, and supply chain visibility\, and what policy\, gov ernance\, and regulatory reforms are needed to ensure these innovations de liver both trade facilitation and resilience outcomes?Interactive Discussi on (Q&\;A)PanelistsHis Excellency Mr. Moustoifa Hassani Mohamed\, Minis ter of Economy\, Industry\, Investment and Economic Integration of the Uni on of the ComorosMr. Kirk Benjamin\, Commissioner / CEO of the Jamaica Cus toms AgencyMr. Misbah Khalil\, President of the Supreme Council of Customs of the Lebanese RepublicMr. Ernest Sigande\, Commissioner Customs Service s of the Zambia Revenue AuthorityModeratorReza Mohammadi\, Programme Manag ement Officer\, UNCTAD/ASYCUDA Programme <\;h2>\;Description<\;/h2& gt\;<\;p>\;The Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) is the larg est technical cooperation programme of UNCTAD. It has supported over 100 d eveloping economies in digitalizing customs and facilitating trade\, and h as continuously evolved by adapting new technology\, to improve efficiency \, strengthen transparency and build more resilient and inclusive trade sy stems.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;Digital transformation is no longer only abou t automating Customs procedures. The present challenge is to connect Custo ms\, Partner Government Agencies\, ports\, logistics operators\, traders a nd other supply-chain stakeholders around trusted data\, coordinated proce sses and risk-based decision-making.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;The future of t rade facilitation is not simply a paperless Customs processing environment . It is a connected\, interoperable and coordinated border ecosystem in wh ich trusted data moves efficiently between government and supply-chain sta keholders\, enabling faster decisions\, stronger controls and greater resi lience.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;This responds directly to ASYCUDA’s strate gic direction of setting up a conducive environment to streamline processe s and exchange trade-related data and documentation\, while advancing bord er-agency coordination and cooperation. It also reflects where the Customs conversation is moving in 2026: interoperability\, trusted data exchange\ , secure digital pathways\, risk management\, resilience and multi-stakeho lder collaboration.<\;/p>\;<\;h4>\;Programme<\;/h4>\;<\;p> \;<\;em>\;Opening remarks and presentation of the panelists by the Ses sion’s moderator.<\;/em>\;<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;<\;em>\;Questio ns<\;/em>\;<\;/p>\;<\;ul>\;<\;li data-list-item-id="\;e9 a34cfe148b297b1c43d94e04b813812\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://unc tad.org/meeting/global-supply-chain-forum-2026-session-digital-customs-con nected-supply-chains-building DTSTAMP:20261024T022909Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR