A regional technical workshop convened in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to discuss challenges in addressing illegal wildlife trade and to develop a common strategy to prevent it.
The meeting specifically highlighted the plight of snow leopards and the role INTERPOL can play through advocacy, intelligence gathering, capacity-building and assistance in operations.
18 September 2015: A regional technical workshop convened in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to discuss challenges in addressing illegal wildlife trade and to develop a common strategy to prevent it. The meeting specifically highlighted the plight of snow leopards and the role INTERPOL can play through advocacy, intelligence gathering, capacity-building and assistance in operations.
The workshop brought together government representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation and Tajikistan as well as non-governmental organizations, including Flora and Fauna International, Panthera, Snow Leopard Foundation-Kyrgyzstan and the Union for Conservation of Nature and Biodiversity (NABU). Participants, guided by Luke Bond, INTERPOL, specifically addressed: transnational wildlife crime priorities and the criminal activities associated with it; current challenges; and the strategies that are needed. In addition to identifying opportunities for stronger collaboration nationally and regionally, the participant’s discourse will form the basis of a common strategy to be developed over the coming weeks.
The workshop, which met from 17-18 September 2015, was organized by the State Agency on Environmental Protection and Forestry of Kyrgyzstan, the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Program (GSLEP) Secretariat, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT), in cooperation with INTERPOL. [GSLEP Secretariat Press Release] [IISD RS Sources]