(AGENPARL) – mar 04 ottobre 2022 4 October 2022
General Secretariat
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Stepping up the global fight against wildlife crime through a united
response
LONDON, UK
With environmental crime ranking as the world’s third largest illegal trade, INTERPOL has joined
calls at the United for Wildlife (UfW) global summit for enhanced collective efforts against the criminal syndicates
behind wildlife crime and its
impact on communities and biodiversity.
Poaching and trafficking undermine the rule of law and economic development. The transnational organized
criminal groups that are driving the killing and extinction of species such as rhinos, elephants, big cats and
endangering marine life also threaten th
e security and livelihood of local communities worldwide.
Organized crime syndicates trafficking ivory and other illicit goods to Asia, the U.S. and Europe are often also
involved in the trafficking of weapons and drugs, fueling corruption, intimidation a
nd even murder along the supply
chain.
Against this context, the UfW summit (3 and 4 October) gathered some 300 global leaders from law
enforcement agencies, conservation organizations and the private sector who reviewed pioneering work to drive
policy ch
ange, support criminal investigations and shape sustained concerted action against wildlife crime.
Speaking at the summit, the Prince of Wales highlighted the serious and organized nature of wildlife crime:
“The illegal wildlife trade is a crime that robs
us all of our most precious natural resources, funds organized crime,
and the harms of which are often directly felt by the most vulnerable communities. There are still too many
criminals who believe they can act with impunity, too many lives being destro
yed and too many species on the
brink of extinction due to this heinous crime.
“But there is cause for optimism. United for Wildlife set out to ensure that those involved in wildlife crime
face an international response as powerful and coordinated as any
other serious and organized crime. To bring
their sinister operations out of the shadows and to ensure that communities are equipped, empowered and
supported to protect themselves and their natural world,” added Prince William.
Wildlife trafficking is f
requently viewed as a low
risk, high
profit activity for offenders who face limited
penalties. In this respect, INTERPOL underscored at the summit the role of global cross
sector partnerships against
the illegal wildlife trade, which is worth some USD 20 b
illion per year alone.
“Often overlooked and under
prosecuted, wildlife crime is a sophisticated and serious crime with far
reaching and devastating consequences not just to wildlife, but to communities and the wellbeing of the planet,”
said INTERPOL’s Ex
ecutive Director of Police Services, Stephen Kavanagh.
“INTERPOL recognizes wildlife crime as an international security priority and we are committed to working
with all sectors to pursue the criminals, disrupt their activities and minimize their harm to
life and the world’s
biodiversity,” added Mr Kavanagh.
Addressing the convergence between illegal wildlife trafficking and other serious crimes and terrorism, Mr
Kavanagh further emphasized how wildlife crime generates income for non
state armed groups an
d terrorist
4 October 2022
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organizations in Central and East Africa, citing evidence for example pointing to Al
Shabaab’s involvement in the
illicit ivory trade.
With its links to violent crime, corruption, and other forms of trafficking, environmental crime is a
transn
ational criminal powerhouse worth more than USD 280 billion a year, the third most lucrative crime globally,
behind drug trafficking and counterfeit crimes.
Through its dedicated Environmental Security Programme (ENS) and its centre for tackling financia
l crime