3 September 2016: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress (WCC) held a high-level session titled ‘Everybody’s Business: Ending Wildlife Trafficking,’ devoted to the topic of illegal wildlife trade and trafficking. The Panel focused on understanding how wildlife enforcement can be strengthened to stem illegal trade, how local communities can be engaged in solutions to prevent poaching and trafficking, the use of technology, and ways reduce global demand for illegal wildlife products, while raising public awareness and changing behaviors.

Moderator Patricia Zurita, CEO, BirdLife International, framed the panel’s discussions, reporting that illegal trade happens on an industrial scale at US$20 billion a year, while Inger Andersen, Director General, IUCN, pointed out that illegal wildlife trade is a serious threat to biodiversity globally, and progress to address it is being made through UN resolutions and recommendations.

During ensuing discussions, panelists discussed the need to, inter alia: share good practices; address corruption; reduce demand; and engage local communities. Cristián Samper, President and CEO, Wildlife Conservation Society, explained that increased awareness, political will and funding are improving and can end illegal trade by stopping trafficking and demand. Marco Lambertini, Director General, World Wildlife Fund, also spoke about the need to reach consumers. He noted the power of social marketing directed at consumers to reduce demand and mobilize the general public.

Other panelists discussed efforts and experiences from their countries. Jesca Eriyo, Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community, shared experiences and progress in drafting regional strategies to combat poaching and illegal trade through law enforcement and capacity building. Catherine Novelli, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, US, linked conservation and security, outlining the US holistic approach to work in mutually reinforcing ways to stop poaching, transit and demand through international collaboration. Nyi Nyi Kyaw, Director General, Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Myanmar, reiterated the importance of raising awareness and education in local communities as well as building capacity in customs and law enforcement.

Panelist, John Scanlon, Secretary General, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), clarified the need for an international consortium with specialized agencies working against crime and corruption so that wildlife crime is treated as a serious felony.

The IUCN Members’ Assembly will consider two motions addressing the issue of illicit trade in wildlife. Motion 007 encourages “governments globally to close their domestic ivory markets” and calls for “transboundary conservation projects in African countries, through their policy and strategic development programmes, to contribute to strict compliance with bans on domestic ivory markets nationally and across boundaries.” Motion 022, ‘Recognising, understanding and enhancing the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in tackling the illegal wildlife trade crisis,’ calls on IUCN Members to strengthen the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in relation to governing, managing and conserving wildlife and combating illegal trade in wildlife.

The WCC is convening under the theme, ‘Planet at the Crossroads,’ in Honolulu, Hawai’i, the US, from 1-10 September 2016. [IUCN World Conservation Congress Programme] [IISD RS Coverage of the IUCN World Conservation Congress] [YouTube: Panel Discussion: Everybody’s Business: Ending Wildlife Trafficking] [Motion 022 – Recognising, understanding and enhancing the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in tackling the illegal wildlife trade crisis] [Motion 007 – Closure of domestic markets for elephant ivory]