9-11 September, 2025, Xiamen, China

The Briefing Meeting of Operation DEMETER XI, funded by the Customs Cooperation Fund of China (CCF-China), was held in Xiamen from 9 to 11 September 2025. At the invitation of the WCO Secretariat, Ms. Zhengqing YE represented the ROCB A/P at this important event.

First launched in 2009 with 64 Customs administrations, Operation DEMETER has grown into one of the WCO’s flagship enforcement initiatives. Operation DEMETER XI targets illegal cross-border shipments of hazardous and other waste, as well as ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) controlled under the Montreal Protocol. With 115 participating Members, this year’s operation is the largest in the series to date, reflecting the international Customs community’s strong and united commitment to combat environmental crime through cooperation and collective enforcement action.

During the meeting, the ROCB A/P was invited to present its efforts in promoting the Green Customs Initiative (GCI) in the Asia/Pacific region. Ms. YE highlighted ROCB A/P’s active engagement, including organizing regional workshops on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and CEN applications, and contributing to UNEP workshop and 4th RCL Heads Meeting. She also underlined the increasingly vital role of Customs laboratories, particularly in identifying solid waste shipments.

On this occasion, the ROCB A/P expressed its sincere appreciation to the WCO Secretariat, RILO A/P, and all partners and Members for their continued collaboration. Together, we share the goal of preventing and deterring the illegal trade in environmentally sensitive commodities and substances, thereby safeguarding sustainable trade and protecting the environment. The ROCB A/P remains committed to supporting future operations and advancing the WCO’s Green Customs agenda.

For more information, please contact at rocb@rocbap.org.