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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

JOINT PRESS RELEASE Fight against wildlife crime gets a USD20 million boost Geneva 29 November – At an event held alongside the 69th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee (SC69), the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) announced generous new funding of USD20 million to scale up the fight against illegal wildlife trade. The significant new funding will be provided by the European Union (EU) (EUR 13,500,000), Germany (EUR 400,000) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern

For use of the media only; not an official document. JOINT PRESS RELEASE Links between corruption and wildlife crime highlighted at UN anti-corruption conference VIENNA, 6 November 2017 — The Secretariat of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) spearheaded a number of events at the 7thsession of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC CoSP7, Vienna

Plenary: Remarks by John E. Scanlon, CITES Secretary-General 7th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption Vienna, 6-10 November 2017 Thank you President and thank you for giving CITES the opportunity to address today’s Plenary session, which is a first for the Convention. I would also like to express our sincere thanks to Executive Director Yury Fedotov and his good team for their extraordinary support for CITES and the fight against wildlife

For use of the media only; not an official document. PRESS RELEASE CITES welcomes powerful new UN resolution on tackling illicit wildlife trafficking UN General Assembly concludes its 71st session on a high note by embracing the groundbreaking CITES decisions adopted at CoP17 last year Geneva, 12 September 2017: A far reaching Resolution on tackling illicit wildlife trafficking was adopted by the 193 Member States of the United Nations at the final meeting of the 71 st session of the

For use of the media only; not an official document. PRESS RELEASE New Funds from France and Monaco to boost global alliance’s frontline efforts to combat wildlife crime Geneva, 26 June 2017 – France and the Principality of Monaco contributed funding to the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), a collaborative effort of the CITES Secretariat, INTERPOL, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Bank and the World Customs organization, to strengthen criminal justice systems and

For use of the media only; not an official document. PRESS RELEASE CITES Task Force agrees on strategies to combat illegal trade in tortoises and freshwater turtles Geneva / Singapore, 28 April 2017 - Over 50 representatives from 15 countries across Africa, Asia, North America and South America, and from international inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, met in Singapore from 25-27 April at a meeting of the Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles Task Force of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered