On the 19 May 2022 at the 23rd Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference for the Asia/Pacific Region, the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force (ABF), Mr Michael Outram APM was endorsed as nominee for the World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific Regional Vice-Chair for July 2022 to June 2024.
Subsequently, ABF Commissioner Outram was officially confirmed in the role of the WCO A/P Regional Vice-Chair at the 139th/140th sessions of the WCO Council in Brussels, Belgium on Saturday 25 June 2022. Following formal proceedings and the handover ceremony with Indonesia’s Director-General of Customs and Excise, Mr Askolani, the Australian Border Force assumed responsibility for secretariat duties and the Office of the WCO A/P Regional Vice-Chair.
ABF Commissioner Outram is supported in his role as the WCO A/P Regional Vice-Chair by senior staff of his executive, the Secretariat of the WCO A/P Regional Vice Chair and the Office of the Secretariat, including:
- Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Ms Vanessa Holben;
- Secretariat of the WCO A/P Regional Vice-Chair and Assistant Secretary of Trade and Customs Policy Branch (ABF), Ms Kimberlee Stamatis; and
- The Office of the Secretariat – headed by Director of WCO and Customs Partnerships Section (ABF), Mr David Zeine, who is supported by a staff of dedicated officers focused on supporting the Secretariat and Office of the WCO A/P Regional Vice-Chair.
To get in contact with the Secretariat and Office of the WCO A/P Regional Vice-Chair, please direct your correspondence via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..