ACTA-GM strengthens Euro-Mediterranean cooperation on anti-counterfeiting during Marseille training
Marseille, 24 September 2026 – ACTA-GM took part in a dedicated anti-counterfeiting training session held at the Regional Customs Directorate in Marseille, bringing together customs representatives, rights holders, industry experts and specialised organisations around a shared objective: strengthening operational cooperation against counterfeiting and intellectual property infringements.
The training was initiated and organised by Michael Lachaux, Regional Director of Customs in Marseille, whose support has contributed to the development of closer cooperation between France and Tunisia in the field of customs enforcement and anti-counterfeiting.
The programme combined institutional presentations with practical brand-focused sessions. Participants benefited from contributions by UNIFAB and representatives of major rights holders, including Hermès, Louis Vuitton, L’Oréal, Renault / Stellantis, Under Armour and Longchamp.
Throughout the day, discussions focused on product identification, brand protection, operational challenges faced by enforcement authorities and the importance of sustained public-private dialogue.
ACTA-GM Presents Its Regional Work and 2026 Annual Report:
During the session, Nihel Bernard, President of ACTA-GM, presented the association’s regional activities in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy, with particular attention to cooperation initiatives developed with public authorities and institutional partners across the Greater Maghreb.
The presentation also highlighted the main orientations of the ACTA-GM 2026 Annual Report and its recommendations for 2027, reflecting the association’s work in training, awareness, institutional cooperation and regional capacity-building.
The report includes contributions and exchanges involving international and institutional stakeholders, including WIPO, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority of Kenya (ACA Kenya) and other partners committed to intellectual property protection, consumer safety and the fight against illicit trade.
ACTA-GM’s approach is based on a simple principle: effective enforcement requires more than seizures and inspections. It also depends on upstream cooperation, better knowledge of authentic products, stronger communication between rights holders and authorities, and improved coordination between the institutions involved.
A New Step in France-Tunisia Cooperation:
The Marseille training also forms part of a broader cooperation dynamic involving French and Tunisian customs authorities.
It followed the visit to Marseille of a delegation of twelve senior Tunisian officials, prepared jointly by the Regional Customs Directorate in Marseille, the International Technical Expert based in Tunis, the POC in Caen, Waleed Soualah, and the UNODC Container Control Programme.
These exchanges are intended to support closer cooperation between both sides of the Mediterranean, particularly in the areas of operational intelligence, training and the sharing of enforcement practices.
ACTA-GM welcomes this growing institutional dialogue and the prospect of further structured cooperation between France and Tunisia.
Next Step: ACTA-GM Regional Training Programme in Tunis:
The work initiated in Marseille will continue in Tunis from 12 to 14 October 2026, where ACTA-GM will organise the Tunisia session of its Regional Programme 2026 – Training of Authorities & Public-Private Dialogue.
The event will take place at the Institut Français de Tunis and will bring together public authorities, institutional partners and rights holders.
The opening programme is expected to include the participation of:
- a delegation from the Anti-Counterfeit Authority of Kenya (ACA Kenya), with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with ACTA-GM;
- members of the Tunisian National Committee for the Fight against Counterfeiting and Piracy;
- INPI France, represented by François Kaiser;
- ACTA-GM, with the presentation of its 2026 Annual Report and recommendations for 2027.
The Tunis programme will focus on several operational sectors, including copyright and related rights, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and pesticides, automotive products, oils and spare parts, and fast-moving consumer goods.
Through this regional programme, ACTA-GM aims to create a practical framework for dialogue between authorities and rights holders, identify local enforcement challenges and develop concrete areas for cooperation.
Building Long-Term Cooperation:
For ACTA-GM, the Marseille session illustrates the importance of continuity between training, institutional dialogue and field cooperation.
The association remains committed to strengthening links between Europe, North Africa and the wider African continent through practical initiatives designed to improve enforcement capacity, facilitate exchanges between public and private stakeholders and support more effective protection of intellectual property rights.
Training, cooperation and information-sharing must be part of a long-term strategy if we want to build stronger and more coordinated responses to counterfeiting and piracy.
