Page 39 - Supplemento 2-2016 (ENG)

Tackling Environmental Crime throUgh standardized Methodologies

Tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife through coordinated action:
the key role of ICCWC

Edward van Asch
CITES Head of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime
(ICCWC)

Your excellences, distinguished delegates and panellists, ladies and gentle-
man, Firstly, good morning and thank the Carabinieri and State Forestry Corps
as well as the TECUM project for inviting the CITES Secretariat to participate
in this important event.

CITES Secretary General, Mr John Scanlon, sends his apologies for not
being able to be here in person and asked me to represent the Secretariat in this
important conference.

The theme of conference is about interaction between humans and the
environment and in particular exploring the challenges faced because of this
interaction and potential solutions.

We are all aware of a number of milestones in recent times to protect our
planet such as for example the recent Climate Change conference and the
important decisions taken by states to work together to protect the environ-
ment and our futures.

Speaking of future, we won’t have one without forests, without preserving
our ecosystems and ensuring the international trade in wild species of plants
and animals is sustainable, traceable and legal. And of course, without taking
concerted action to tackle illicit trafficking in wildlife.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora) is a legally binding agreement between 182 State Parties
that sets the international rules - the international framework - for wildlife trade
by regulating international trade in over 35,000 species of wild animals and
plants. The Convention has been in place for over 40 years and obliges States
that are Party to it (member states), to trade in CITES listed species in accor-
dance with its provisions, to take appropriate measures to enforce the
Convention at the national level and to prohibit trade in violation of the

37