The office, based in INTERPOL’s Regional Bureau for East Africa in Nairobi, will work on a number of environmental issues with a particular focus on addressing the illegal trafficking of ivory and rhinoceros horn.
INTERPOL’s Environmental Security Office will assist in enhancing cooperation between government, the private sector and NGOs, and thus boost the capacity of law enforcement agencies to act against the illicit wildlife trade.
Locally-based delegates from Australia and UK attended the launch of the office alongside their local counterparts. Australia and the UK expressed concerned by the escalation in illicit wildlife trade globally and are strongly committed to combating poaching and wildlife trafficking.
Australian High Commissioner, Geoff Tooth, said as Chair of the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT), and a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Australia was committed to the global fight to preserve and protect endangered and threatened species.
“Australia welcomes the further focus on these issues that INTERPOL’s new Environment Security Office will bring. Australia is working closely with these institutions, and encouraging them to work together, to ensure we do our part to end wildlife trafficking,” said Tooth.
British High Commissioner, Dr Christian Turner, said the UK was working with the Kenya and internationally to track down those who take part in wildlife poaching.
“This issue affects not just conservation, but also environmental, economic and security issues. On the latter, the proceeds from illegal trafficking of horn and ivory is feeding organised criminal networks, who are using the same routes for guns and drugs. Wildlife crime represents the fourth largest illicit international activity, and must be treated as criminal activity,” Turner added.
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