22nd Virtual Customs Orientation Academy (VCOA) - Empowering the next generation of Customs officers

The 22^nd session of the Virtual Customs Orientation Academy (VCOA) officially concluded on 19 December 2025, marking another milestone in the World Customs Organization's commitment to building capacity and fostering knowledge exchange among early-year Customs professionals to serve society better.

Over the course of 14-weeks, a group of 42 Customs officers from across the world embarked on an intensive online learning journey on the WCO's CLiKC! platform. The programme deepened participants' understanding of the mission and values of the WCO, while strengthening their knowledge of key strategic priorities, including revenue collection and regulatory compliance.

For many participants, completing the VCOA was not without its challenges. Balancing professional responsibilities with the demands of a rigorous online curriculum required determination and adaptability. Yet, these challenges became opportunities for growth.

As one participant shared:

"Participating in this course has been both demanding and deeply fulfilling. I'm truly delighted and proud to have joined the 22^nd VCOA, as it gave me the opportunity to enhance my technical expertise, expand my knowledge of international standards, and gain valuable perspective on my role within the Customs administration."

The success of this session can also be attributed to the support and dedication of the eight WCO accredited experts from the Customs authorities of Brazil, Egypt, India, Italy, Latvia, Mauritius, Mexico and Vietnam who participated as tutors on the programme, thereby providing students with a unique opportunity to learn first-hand from experienced Customs officers.

The next VCOA session aimed at French-speaking Customs officers is scheduled to take place from 16 March to 19 June 2026. French-speaking Customs officers with less than four-years of experience working at their Customs administration are invited to apply before 16 February 2026. Further information about the programme and on how to apply can be found here.