Historic admission strengthens regional customs cooperation in the Pacific
GUAM, U.S.A. – The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) today welcomed Tokelau Customs as its 24th member during the organisation’s 27th Annual Conference in Guam, marking a significant expansion of the regional customs body.
The admission of Tokelau, a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand was approved unanimously by existing members during the closed session of the Customs Heads Conference.
“This is a historic day for both Tokelau and the OCO,” said Mr. Ike Q. Peredo, Chair of the OCO Steering Committee and Director of the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency. “The addition of Tokelau to our organisation further strengthens our collective ability to address shared challenges and pursue opportunities for customs modernisation and trade facilitation across the Pacific.”
Tokelau, comprising three tropical coral atolls with a total land area of approximately 10 square kilometers and a population of about 1,500 people, has been working to develop its customs capabilities in recent years with support from New Zealand Customs and other regional partners.
“Joining the OCO represents a significant milestone in our development as a customs administration. We look forward to contributing to and benefiting from the collaborative initiatives, knowledge sharing, and capacity building opportunities that OCO membership provides,” said Liliu Penaia, representative of Tokelau Customs.
As an OCO member, Tokelau will participate in regional operations, training programs, and policy discussions, while gaining access to technical assistance and support from fellow members and international partners.
The admission expands the OCO’s geographical coverage, strengthening the organisation’s mandate to promote customs cooperation across the Pacific region. The OCO’s membership now includes customs administrations from countries and territories spanning from Micronesia in the north to New Zealand in the south, and from Palau in the west to French Polynesia in the east.
The OCO, established in 1986, serves as the primary regional body for customs administrations in the Pacific, facilitating cooperation, capacity building, and harmonization of customs procedures across its membership.
The 27th OCO Annual Conference continues through May 23 in Guam, with upcoming sessions focusing on technology innovation, environmental protection, and collaborative efforts to combat transnational crime.
About OCO: The Oceania Customs Organisation is the regional body for Customs administrations in the Pacific region. OCO works to enhance the capacity and capability of its members in border security, trade facilitation, and revenue collection.
