The 32^nd Administrative Meeting of National Contact Points of RILO AP was successful convened virtually on 7-8 September 2021. The meeting was hosted by RILO AP and Bangladesh Customs via online platform Zoom due to the strict travel restrictions worldwide. A total of 64 participants from 25 Member Administrations, International Organizations including ROCB A/P, UNODC and the WCO Secretariat joined the meeting this year.

The Meeting was opened by welcoming remark of Mr. Abu Hena Md. Rahmatul Muneem, Senior Secretary Internal Resources Division & Chairman of National board of Revenue, Bangladesh followed by opening remark of Mr. Tae Soo, YOO, Head of RILO AP.

Mr. Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, Director General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate of Bangladesh Customs, was elected as the Chairperson of the Meeting. During the Meeting conducted for two days, participants from Member Administrations, International Organizations shared their latest development and updates for their contribution to the regional enforcement activities respectively.

Delegates reported their achievements to participants and draw attention on the emerging challenges in various Customs enforcement areas faced by the region including drugs trafficking trends and enforcement, environmental issues including illegal waste trade, wildlife trafficking and commercial fraud. Especially, many participants exchanged the latest trends and challenges affected by impact of COVID-19.

Besides, RILO AP reported the annual progress reports, evaluation of CEN and on-going intelligence projects and introduced the upcoming operations and initiatives in the work plan during the meeting.

In the conclusion of the Meeting, the Head of RILO AP highlighted the importance of strengthening cross-border partnership in Asia and the Pacific region and asked for Member Administrations on their continuous supports to RILO AP as always. Next Administrative Meeting for NCPs of RILO AP in 2022 will be held in Korea.