World BASC Organization (WBO) participated in the 2025 BASC National Congress, organized by BASC Dominicana on October 30 under the theme “Toward a Secure Logistics Hub.”
The WBO delegation was composed of Erik Moncayo, international president of WBO; Suzanne Lemaitre, executive director of WBO; Óscar Andrade, vice chair of the WBO Board of Directors and president of BASC Guatemala; and Pedro Pablo Peña, treasurer of the WBO Board of Directors and president of BASC Ecuador. Representatives from other BASC Chapters were also present, including Luis Bernardo Benjumea, executive director of BASC Colombia; Diego Castillo, executive director of BASC Pichincha; and Fabricio Muñoz, executive director of BASC Guayaquil, along with other executives and staff members from BASC Pichincha and BASC Guayaquil.
During the opening ceremony, Horacio Lomba, chair of BASC Dominicana, emphasized the importance of strengthening international trade security and consolidating the Dominican Republic as a secure logistics hub in the region. He also highlighted the role of the Dominican business sector in promoting responsible and competitive practices.
The event was attended by the Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Customs (DGA), led by its Director General, Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, who presented the progress, challenges, and strategic vision behind the modernization and transformation of the Dominican customs system. In recognition of this leadership and institutional support, BASC presented a special award to the DGA and Lovatón for their commitment to trade security and facilitation, as well as their key role in strengthening public–private partnerships in the region.
As part of the academic agenda, Óscar Andrade participated as a guest speaker with the presentation titled “Cybersecurity Applied to Supply Chain Security,” addressing how artificial intelligence is transforming global operations and providing innovative solutions to enhance security, efficiency, and resilience in international trade.
Additionally, Suzanne Lemaitre moderated the high-level panel “The Role of the Private Sector in Supply Chain Security in the Americas,” featuring Madeleine Veigel, vice president, Customs for the Americas – Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.; Nelson Brens Castillo, president of the International Association of Professional Customs Brokers (ASAPRA); and Erik Moncayo, chair of the WCO Regional Private Sector Group (RPSG) for the Americas and the Caribbean and international president of WBO. This panel provided an opportunity to analyze how active private sector participation enhances the security and resilience of supply chains while promoting regional cooperation and the adoption of best practices in compliance, traceability, and innovation.
During the Congress, BASC Dominicana and the Dominican Association of Customs Brokers (ADAA) signed a cooperation agreement, witnessed by the WBO delegation as honorary guests. This agreement aims to strengthen institutional collaboration, promote training initiatives, and facilitate the exchange of information and experiences to enhance security and efficiency within the Dominican logistics chain.
At the conclusion of the event, speakers and participants were invited by WBO to join the celebration of the 12th BASC World Congress, to be held September 1–2, 2026, in Miami, Florida, in commemoration of BASC’s 30th Anniversary.
As part of the Congress activities, members of WBO and other participants also took part in a commercial visit to DP World Dominicana, where they learned about advances in infrastructure, digitalization, and risk management at one of the Caribbean’s main logistics ports.
World BASC Organization extends its sincere appreciation to the Dominican Chapter, its Board of Directors, Executive Director, and entire team for their hospitality and the successful development of this important event, which reflects BASC’s ongoing commitment to promoting a culture of security and strengthening the competitiveness of international trade in the Dominican Republic.
