COMIFAC: Wildlife Law

The Central Africa Forest Commission (COMIFAC) has agreed on a Regional Action Plan for Strengthening National Wildlife Law Implementation for 2012-2016. The plan consists of four elements:
- cooperation and collaboration among relevant wildlife law enforcement and prosecution authorities;
- investigations at key border and transit points, domestic markets and transboundary areas;
- effective deterrents and prosecutions; and
- awareness of illegal wildlife trade issues.

The Action Plan will form the basis of a wildlife enforcement network in Central Africa, like those already in place in Central America, Europe, South and Southeast Asia. Participants also agreed to a roadmap for the implementation of the Action Plan, which includes the submission of the Action Plan for formal endorsement at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers of COMIFAC.

Press Release

Compliance and Enforcement Summit

The 1st International Chiefs of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (ICECE) Summit brought together national leaders of environment, biodiversity and natural resource agencies and departments with law enforcement responsibilities to develop a global strategy for addressing environmental concerns. Over three days, the 230 delegates from nearly 70 States attended thematic sessions on Investigative Assistance and Operational Support, Information Management, Capacity Building Standards, and Effective Networks, as well as commodity specific side-meetings covering fisheries, forestry, pollution, and wildlife. Particular concern was expressed from many delegates on the scale of environmental crime and the connection with organized transnational crime, including issues of smuggling, corruption, fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and murder.

Report

Further information