Please download the UN General Assembly Resolution on tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife

CITES Secretariat welcomes UN General Assembly Resolution on tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife

UNGA urges Member States to take decisive steps to prevent, combat and eradicate illegal trade  in wildlife within the existing international legal framework 

Geneva/New York, 30 July 2015:  Concerned over the serious nature and the increasing scale of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its adverse economic, social and environmental impacts, and expressing particular concern over the steady rise in the level of rhino poaching and alarmingly high levels of killings of elephants in Africa, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted today a resolution on ‘Tackling Illicit Trafficking in Wildlife’. 

The UNGA Resolution expresses concern that illicit trafficking in protected species of wild fauna and flora is in some cases an increasingly sophisticated form of transnational organized crime that poses a threat to health and safety, security, good governance and the sustainable development of States.

In welcoming the Resolution, the Secretary-General of CITES, John E. Scanlon, said: “The adoption of this UNGA Resolution reflects the heightened level of political concern over the devastating impacts of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife. It is particularly important in strengthening the political resolve to combat these serious crimes.” Find out more...