May 2015: Following a meeting on illegal trade in wild fauna and flora held in Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo, African leaders issued a strong declaration urging coordinated regional and international action against wildlife crime.

Held from 27-30 April 2015, and co-hosted by the Republic of the Congo, the African Union Commission and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Conference on Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora in Africa agreed on a 20-point declaration, urging African States to finalize the draft African common strategy on combating illegal trade in wild fauna and flora and its action plan to deal with the ongoing crisis. The meeting made significant progress in the development of the strategy, which is expected to be finalized and submitted for adoption by the African Union later this year.

The Conference also recommended to African States to take leadership in introducing a resolution on wildlife crime with a strong reporting mechanism to the UN General Assembly. It further encourages them to recognize the rights and increase the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the planning, management and use of wildlife resources, and build their capacities to fight against wildlife crime; requests the African Union to work with transit and consumer countries; and calls on partners to provide the necessary technical, financial and logistical support for implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the strategy and action plan.

In a symbolic gesture of commitment to the fight against wildlife crime, the Presidents of the Republic of the Congo and Chad set a pyre to destroy nearly five tonnes of seized elephant tusks, fueled by captured illegal timber. [African Union Press Release] [Draft Strategy] [TRAFFIC Press Release][Conference website]