A special event on “E-Certification: the Trade Facilitation Measure” was organized during the Fourteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in Nairobi on 21 July 2016.
On the occasion of the event, UNCTAD introduced its new electronic phytosanitary certification system - ASYCER, which is from now on fully available to all interested member States.
The main goal of ASYCER is to promote agricultural exports and food security on the path to SDGs implementation. It will also help developing countries to streamline trade procedures in accordance with requirements of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, particularly as regards the expedient processing of perishable goods.
Speaking in Nairobi, Ms. Shamika N. Sirimanne, the new Director of the Division on Technology and Logistics, UNCTAD as of August 2016, underlined that ASYCER, which has been developed by UNCTAD with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, brings together international standards and best practices, and modern ICT technology. It improves the efficiency of the phytosanitary certification process by national Plant Protection Organizations and Customs requirements of import and export of agricultural products. It reduces the total costs of verification and certification, increases the transparency of trade transactions, minimizes the likelihood of fraud, improves management of phytosanitary risks and reduces food losses.
Mr. Christiaan Rebergen, Director General for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, referred to UNCTAD as the natural partner of his country in the area of e-certification, and expressed the continuing support of his Government.
ASYCER is based on international standards and recommendations of the UN/CEFACT, IPPC, FAO, WTO and other reputable bodies. The successful testing of ASYCER in Ethiopia helped to fully adapt it to practical needs of developing countries and LDCs.
UNCTAD will continue to build closer partnerships with WTO, IPPC/FAO, WCO, UN/CEFACT and other stakeholders to assist developing countries and LDCs in the promotion of exports and facilitation of imports of agricultural products, including through the use of ASYCER.
