UNIS/CP/1185
7 February 2025

European Union, the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime, and civil society join forces to combat wildlife crime

VIENNA/GENEVA, 7 February (UN Information Service) – 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 - Global United Action to Reduce and Dismantle Organized Wildlife Crime – aims to conserve endangered species and biodiversity for future generations. The project will be implemented through a close partnership between ICCWC members  – the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) - and civil society organizations. GUARD Wildlife will harness the expertise of EU Member States and engage closely with national authorities and law enforcement agencies to strengthen the global fight against organized wildlife crime.

Year after year, the international community has placed growing importance on combating illegal trade to conserve wildlife, making the disruption of trafficking networks a top priority. The latest UNODC World Wildlife Crime Report (2024) documented illegal trade seizures in 162 countries and territories during 2015–2021, affecting around 4,000 plant and animal species.

GUARD Wildlife will enhance coordinated responses to combat wildlife crime at the national, regional and international levels and reduce illicit trafficking in wildlife and wildlife products in source, transit and destination countries. The initiative will unite key players to improve collaboration and strengthen information sharing. Efforts will also focus on bolstering national enforcement systems, including customs, police and border control, by providing expert mentorship and targeted support. Additionally, innovative demand-reduction efforts grounded in behavioural science will be implemented in consumer markets.

"On behalf of ICCWC, we extend our deepest gratitude to the European Union for their continued support and recognition of the urgent need to combat wildlife crime,” said CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero. “The GUARD Wildlife initiative will enhance coordinated responses at the national, regional and international levels to combat trafficking in wildlife. ICCWC partners will work side by side with national authorities to support their work, providing them with the tools, services and technical support they need. This project will support achieving the ICCWC Vision 2030 to expand our impact and advance our shared mission of conserving wildlife, combating transnational crime and ensuring sustainable futures for communities around the world."

At the CITES Standing Committee meeting in Geneva this week, Cristina de Avila, Head of Global Environmental Cooperation and Multilateralism, Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission, announced that the European Union was proud to support the fight against wildlife crime through the GUARD Wildlife initiative. She commented that "organized wildlife crime is a serious transnational threat that not only endangers biodiversity but also fuels corruption and weakens the rule of law. This €27 million investment reflects the EU’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks, strengthening enforcement and reducing the demand that drives illegal wildlife trade."

"Wildlife crime threatens ecosystems, economies and communities worldwide," said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC. "This project unites partners from diverse sectors and regions to confront the criminal networks driving the illegal exploitation of our planet’s natural resources. UNODC is proud to manage this initiative, leveraging the collective expertise and commitment of our partners to strengthen enforcement, disrupt illicit supply chains and protect biodiversity."