UNODC press conference on combating wildlife crime

The conference is part of activities marking World Environment Day 2016 (June 5) themed “The fight against illegal trade in wildlife”. 

Participants said illegal trade in wildlife is driving species to the brink of extinction, while posing environmental, economic, developmental, and security risks. 

UN Resident Coordinator Pratibha Mehta said,“The United Nations in Vietnam has been working very closely with the government and with international and national NGOs to combat wildlife crime through various initiatives and we will continue to collaborate and support these efforts in addressing very important issues.”

Christopher Batt, representative from the United Nations on Drugs and Crime in Vietnam, said Vietnamese relevant agencies need to join hands in carrying out comprehensive investigations with inter-sector investigation teams. 

The country should intensify international law to forbid and criminalise the possession of any wild species, organs or products hunted and traded illegally, regardless of the crime taking place in Vietnam or anywhere else in the world. 

In 2014, Vietnamese Prime Minister issued a Directive on strengthening measures to control and protect endangered, rare and precious wild animals.