28 May 2014: Law enforcement representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Russian Federation, Thailand and Viet Nam met at the INTERPOL General Secretariat for a five-day consultation on enhancing intelligence-led law enforcement.

Participants discussed how to disrupt the networks supporting poaching and illegal trade of wildlife and its derivatives, including but not limited to wild tigers and bears. They agreed on: improving intelligence and analytical capacity by establishing a network of analysts and investigators; establishing National Environmental Security Seminars (NESS) to strengthen multi-agency collaboration; and conducting multi-agency and multi-national operational exercises.

David Higgins, Head of INTERPOL’s Environmental Security Unit, noted the importance of developing national analytical capabilities. [IISD RS Sources] [INTERPOL Website]