The United States supports the Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade and is committed to the prompt implementation of the Framework. The approval and broad implementation of this Framework will, we believe, revolutionize the secure and efficient movement of global trade. Because the Framework uses the unique capabilities and authorities of Customs, we believe that the Framework will also increase the relevancy and importance of Customs authorities throughout the world, as well as of the WCO itself. This Framework represents a global strategy that all nations can join in, in order to combat global terrorism, to protect trade and to protect the global economy. Under the Customs-to-Customs pillar of the Framework, the Framework provides for a new level of partnership and interconnectedness between Customs administrations around the world. It will transform Customs-to-Customs relationships and help Customs authorities discharge their responsibilities.

By joining the WCO Framework, Customs administrations will become the securers of trade and the facilitators of trade. The Framework will also link its security and facilitation goals with Capacity Building and with Customs reforms in developing nations in particular that join the Framework, including the use of risk management, greater transparency and integrity.

For businesses, the adoption of the Framework will provide a common set of standards and principles, rather than multiple and differing sets of standards. Adoption of the Framework will mean that Customs authorities will provide benefits, such as reduced inspections, to companies that meet minimal supply chain security criteria. The Framework will provide a security envelope, if you will, for the movement of legitimate trade - A security envelope through which goods will move more rapidly, more predictably and more efficiently than ever before.

But as others have noted, Mr. Chairperson, approval of the Framework by this Council itself will mean very little unless it is in fact implemented. The United States recognizes that Capacity Building is a key element to implementing this Framework. I expect that developing nations that notify the Secretary General of their intent to implement the Framework, that have the political will to implement this Framework and that in fact proceed to implement the Framework standards to the extent of their capabilities, those developing nations should and will receive Capacity Building assistance in order to fully implement the Framework. I should add that a real commitment to integrity by Customs administrations is a cornerstone of the Framework and a prerequisite for Capacity Building assistance. That is why the Framework will, as Secretary General Danet indicated this morning, breathe new life into the fight against corruption.

A number of developed countries, including the United States, are committed in joining together to provide Capacity Building assistance, working in coordination with the Secretary General and the Secretariat and the new Capacity Building Directorate. This Capacity Building assistance will be linked, I expect, to the implementation of the Framework and its Standards. United States Customs and Border Protection has already taken steps in this regard. First, we have assigned an Attaché to the WCO Secretariat to work on the evaluation and delivery of Capacity Building. Second, within US Customs and Border Protection, I have established -for the first time - a Capacity Building division within our Office of International Affairs, with the specific objective of helping countries with the implementation of Framework Standards. I anticipate, by the way, that this new Capacity Building division will work closely with the Secretary General and the new Capacity Building Directorate within the WCO. And third, we have already reached out and had preliminary discussions about the Framework with the World Bank, the Inter-American Bank, the Organization of American States, and others.

But as I said, the Framework will not amount to much or achieve its potential, unless it is actually implemented by a significant number of developed and developing countries. Some have asked how will the Framework be implemented. Well, the first step, once the Framework is approved, the Resolution is approved by the Council, the very first step will be the submission of a notice or declaration of intent to implement the Framework. In fact on the desk of every delegation, in front of them, is a yellow declaration of intent to be submitted to the Secretary General for those that are willing to join in and begin implementing the Framework. That’s the first step. There is a form or model letter.

Let me inform the Council and the Secretary General that once the Resolution approving the Framework is adopted, the United States will submit its declaration of intent or letter of intent to implement the Framework. I have it right here. And I want to take just a moment, Mr. Chairperson, to read the letter. It’s short. After the salutation “Dear Mr. Danet”, the very first paragraph is identical to the model declaration :

“Acknowledging the urgency to implement the Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, United States Customs and Border Protection, by delivery of this signed instrument to the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, advises that it has begun the process of implementing the Framework”.

But we have two additional important paragraphs:

“Further, I wish to inform you that United States Customs and Border Protection has already begun the process of soliciting serious commitments for capacity building funding from other US Government agencies and from international lending institutions here in Washington D.C. United States Customs and Border Protection is committed to ensuring that other WCO Members serious about implementing the WCO Framework get the capacity building assistance they need.

In anticipation of declarations from many other WCO Members to implement the WCO Framework, I have directed my Office of International Affairs to make the appropriate structural adjustments, through the creation of a Capacity Building Division, to support these anticipated needs”.

And it concludes with:

“It is with great honor that I submit to you this Letter of Intent and join other like-minded WCO Members in securing our supply chains against the terrorist threat and ensuring the economic prosperity of our countries”.

And it is signed “Robert C. Bonner, Commissioner, US Customs and Border Protection”.

I’m going to sign the letter now and I’m going to submit this to you, Mr. Secretary General, immediately when the Resolution is adopted.

Let me just conclude by saying I urge other Member countries, other Customs administrations to also submit their declarations of intent to begin to implement this Framework. We hope, before this Council Session is completed, that there will be at least a critical mass of countries that will have signed and signified their intent to implement the Framework before we leave Brussels.

And we pledge to work with Members of the WCO who join in the Framework to ensure that the Framework is implemented in order to make safe global trade a reality.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.

Commissioner Bonner reserves the right to edit his written remarks during his oral presentation and to speak extemporaneously. His actual remarks, as given, therefore, may vary slightly from the written text.