The 43^rd Session of the Enforcement Committee was held in WCO Headquarters from 27 to 31 March 2023. The meeting was opened with introductory remarks from the chairperson, a keynote address by the Secretary General of WCO, INTERPOL, and welcome remarks by the Director of Compliance and Facilitation Directorate, WCO. This year, the meeting was held in an in-person format, and there were over 250 delegates who took their seats in the headquarters.

 The WCO Enforcement Committee was established in 1983, and it has been 40 years since its beginning. In order to celebrate its long history of performance and achievements, the committee allotted a session to invite WCO members, RILOs, and observers to share their experiences and anecdotes about its role. As the first speaker, RILO AP took the floor and talked about its 12 years of activities in Republic of Korea from its hosting since 2012, including Joint Operations, Projects, International Cooperation, Intelligence liaison, publications, Capacity buildings, as well as a sincere appreciation for all WCO members for their generous supports.

 After the session for its 40^th Anniversary, the EC began to adopt the agenda to discuss. The strategic plan implementation scoping areas were Digitalization and Interoperability, Information Sharing, Green Customs, Organized Crime and Supply Chain Infiltration. As for the topics of Compliance and Enforcement Programmes, Environment, Drugs, Security, Revenue, Cultural Heritage, IPR/Health and Safety, Intelligence and Risk Management/CEN, Customs Operational Practices, Anti Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist/Financing, Enforcement Committee Work were highlighted.

 During the Environment Programme, the work related to the illicit trafficking in plastic waste and ozone depleting substances together with the outcomes of Operation DEMEMTER VIII were covered by the participants. On behalf of member administrations, RILO AP made remarks on the successful results of last year and encouraged the WCO members to join the global operation that is scheduled this year.