11 March 2013: A three-day symposium organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the sidelines of the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) brought together senior justices, Attorney Generals, prosecutors, wildlife and environment police, customs officers and government enforcement experts to identify actions to address wildlife crime in Asia. The meeting took place from 10-12 March 2013.

The event, moderated by Kala Mulqueeny, ADB, was attended by more than 120 representatives from civil society organizations, leading environmental groups, intergovernmental organizations, multilateral development banks including the African Development Bank and the World Bank, and UN agencies. In his opening remarks, Bruce Davis, ADB, emphasized that wildlife crime destroys biodiversity and poses serious threats to health because the transport of wildlife and their products can spread disease. Many participants recognized the important role the judiciary plays in combating wildlife crime.

ADB aims to support the conservation of biodiversity and the prevention of illegal wildlife trade by: promoting regional cooperation to strengthen the management and sustainable use of large-scale ecosystems; improving the management of protected areas; and promoting environmental justice by working with Chief Justices and senior judiciary members. Currently the Bank is working on developing follow-up technical assistance for CITES member countries aimed at strengthening law and enforcement systems on wildlife protection and the prevention of wildlife crime. [ADB Press Release][IISD RS Sources]