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The 78th meeting of the Standing Committee ( SC78 ) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( CITES ) took place in Geneva from 3 - 8 February 2025. During SC78, the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime ( ICCWC ) reported on progress with the implementation of its work and hosted two events. Representatives from Parties and ICCWC partner organizations highlighted the importance of international collaboration and the collection and use

Geneva, 7 February 2025 - The European Union (EU) awarded the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) €27 million to tackle organized crime networks trafficking in wildlife globally and reduce the demand driving this illicit trade, in collaboration with civil society organizations. The new initiative, GUARD Wildlife - G lobal U nited A ction to R educe and D ismantle Organized Wildlife Crime – aims to conserve endangered species and biodiversity for future generations. The project will be implemented

Nearly 20,000 live animals seized, 365 suspects arrested in largest-ever wildlife and forestry operation 138 countries and regions join forces to target fauna and flora trafficking worldwide Originally published by INTERPOL and WCO Nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, have been seized in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO). Operation Thunder 2024 (11 November – 6 December) brought together police, customs, border control, forestry

International Forum on Combating Money Laundering and Transnational Organized Crimes: Criminal Networks, Trade Dynamics and Beyond Opening Ceremony Keynote by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero 10 December 2024, Hong Kong SAR, China Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Guests and participants, Ladies and gentlemen, It is my great honour to address you today at the International Forum on Combating Money Laundering and Transnational Organized Crimes: Criminal Networks, Trade Dynamics and Beyond. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere thanks to the Hong

For use of the media only; not an official document. PRESS RELEASE Global arrests and seizures: WCO-INTERPOL Operation Thunder 2021 strikes wildlife and timber trafficking networks 30 November 2021 - A worldwide enforcement operation against wildlife and timber crime coordinated by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and INTERPOL has disrupted crime networks and seen hundreds of arrests worldwide. Codenamed Thunder 2021, the month-long (1-31 October) operation involved Customs, Police, financial intelligence units and wildlife and forestry enforcement agencies in 118

For use of the media only; not an official document. PRESS RELEASE The International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime - Annual Report 2020 – Together Against Wildlife Crime The International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime ( ICCWC ) has launched its Annual Report for the year 2020, titled Together Against Wildlife Crime. The report showcases how the Consortium’s partnerships with Member States and other stakeholders have helped enhance the capacity of customs, police, wildlife authorities and the entire criminal justice

2nd Global meeting of Wildlife Enforcement Networks The CITES Secretariat, on behalf of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), and with generous funding support from the Department of State of the United States of America convened the Second Global Meeting of Wildlife Enforcement Networks (WENs) alongside the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP17) to CITES in Johannesburg, South Africa, in September 2016. The meeting promoted the sharing of information on best practices and lessons learned

For use of the media only; not an official document. PRESS RELEASE Wildlife enforcement networks meet to further strengthen collaboration to combat ‘industrial scale’ crime Johannesburg 3 October 2016 - Over 90 representatives from wildlife enforcement networks across the world met in Johannesburg during #CoP17 for frank discussions on strengthening frontline cooperation and coordination to combat transnational organized wildlife and forest crime. CITES Secretary-General John E. Scanlon has described wildlife crime as “a multi billion dollar threat to wildlife and

For use of the media only; not an official document. PRESS RELEASE CoP17 hosts first ever wildlife crime partnerships forum Photo by Florian Keil / CMS + AEWA Secretariat Johannesburg, 27 September 2016 – A powerful group of international agencies met this week in the margins of CITES #CoP17 to discuss how best to integrate law enforcement, development, environmental and social approaches to combating illegal wildlife trade. The first ever Global Partnerships Coordination Forum was convened by the International Consortium

For use of the media only; not an official document. PRESS RELEASE Global consortium strengthens efforts to tackle wildlife crime The International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) will host three high profile events during CITES #CoP17, to further strengthen collaborative efforts against illicit wildlife trafficking that is decimating species, livelihoods and economies. The Global Partnerships Coordination Forum on 25 September, moderated by the World Bank on behalf of ICCWC, will include a high level panel discussion with representatives from