News

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

3rd Global meeting of Wildlife Enforcement Networks The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), in cooperation with its partners from the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) and with generous funding support from the United States of America convened the Third Global Meeting of Wildlife Enforcement Networks (WENs) on 21 to 22 August 2019, alongside the 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP18) , in

For use of the media only; not an official document. JOINT PRESS RELEASE New study finds illegal trade in marine turtles persisting in Indonesia, Malaysia and Viet Nam Geneva/Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 19 November 2019 — A newly released study [1] carried out by TRAFFIC and commissioned by the CITES Secretariat documents thousands of marine turtles and their parts found in seizures, in both physical and online markets in Indonesia, Malaysia and Viet Nam. At least 2,354 whole turtles, both live

Geneva/Lima, 4 October 2019 – Whilst poaching and wildlife trafficking in Africa and Asia have attracted considerable media and public attention in the past few years, far less has been heard about illegal wildlife trade in the Americas. Yet all is not well in this most biodiversity-rich region on our planet. Did you know 79,000 live animals of protected species were confiscated in Peru alone between 2000 to 2017? Earlier this week, a staggering 12.3 million CITES-listed seahorses were intercepted

Geneva, 20 September 2019: At the 73rd session United Nations General Assembly, the 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted its fourth resolution on tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife. With 13 references to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), including the recent 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (17-28 August 2019, Geneva), the UN General Assembly further recognizes CITES as the primary legal framework for regulating international

Wildlife enforcement networks from around the world meet to further strengthen collaborative efforts against wildlife crime Geneva, 26 August 2019 – The most recent global wildlife enforcement operation, codenamed Operation Thunderball , involved 109 countries. It resulted in over 1,800 seizures across all continents and the arrest of close to 600 suspects. The operation, which took place in June, also triggered multiple investigations and prosecutions worldwide. Such successful wildlife law-enforcement operations demonstrate what can be achieved when CITES Parties work

PRESS ADVISORY International consortium to strengthen global action on combating wildlife crime Geneva,15 August 2019 - The International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) will host three high-profile events at this month’s CITES conference to draw attention to activities for enabling authorities to effectively respond to wildlife crime and the organized crime groups behind such crimes. The ICCWC is a collaboration involving the CITES Secretariat, INTERPOL, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Bank and the