On June 5, the BASC Colombia 2025 National Conference was held in Bogotá, an important high-level event organized by BASC Colombia that brought together national business leaders, government authorities, and international experts.
The official opening featured remarks by Luis Bernardo Benjumea, executive director of BASC Colombia; Brigadier General Wharlinton Iván Gualdrón, national service chief of the Colombian National Police; and Suzanne Lemaitre, executive director of the World BASC Organization (WBO). In her address, Lemaitre highlighted the growth and accomplishments of BASC throughout the Americas, reaffirming the Organization’s commitment to transparency, international cooperation, and the promotion of best practices across the supply chain.
During the conference, WBO’s international president Erik Moncayo participated in a panel discussion titled “U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its International Cooperation Efforts” alongside Ana Hinojosa, a distinguished customs and cross-border trade expert, former executive director of CBP, and former director of compliance and facilitation at the World Customs Organization (WCO). The panel explored best practices in cross-border cooperation and reaffirmed BASC’s role as a strategic partner of U.S. CBP.
The conference was attended by national government representatives, enforcement authorities, members of Colombia’s police and customs services, and executive directors and staff from BASC chapters in Colombia and other member countries. Speakers included representatives from the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN), the Anti-Narcotics Directorate of the Colombian National Police, the Fiscal and Customs Police (POLFA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as leaders from companies such as CMA CGM, DHL, Nestlé, Amazon, and Dole, among others.
Representing World BASC Organization (WBO) were Óscar Sánchez, chairman of the WBO Board of Directors —and host of the event in his role as chairman of the Board of BASC Colombia and BASC Oriente—; Óscar Andrade, vice chairman of the WBO Board of Directors; Erik Moncayo, international president; Suzanne Lemaitre, executive director; and Luis Renella, director of operations.
A highlight of the event was the signing of a cooperation agreement between DIAN and BASC Colombia, signed by Luis Eduardo Llinás, acting director general of the DIAN, and Óscar Sánchez on behalf of BASC Colombia. The agreement aims to strengthen institutional collaboration, promote secure trade practices, and implement joint actions in training, auditing, and the exchange of best practices. Erik Moncayo and Luis Bernardo Benjumea served as witnesses of honor during the signing.
World BASC Organization thanks BASC Colombia, its Board of Directors, executive director, and regional chapters for organizing this important conference, which once again demonstrated the country’s leadership and commitment to advancing the highest standards of supply chain security, institutional strengthening, and collaboration with key international trade stakeholders.
