First UN Resolution On Wildlife Trafficking ‘Historic Step Forward’

Share

United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner released the following statement after the UN General Assembly adopted its first-ever resolution on wildlife trafficking:

“This General Assembly resolution is an historic step forward, and one I believe will spark the firm and concerted international action needed to combat poaching and those who profit from it.

“In calling for wildlife crime to be treated as a serious crime, both nationally and across borders, the resolution sends a clear signal to organized criminal networks involved in this illicit trafficking that their time will soon be up.

“In particular, I hope this resolution will help curb the rampant poaching of elephants and rhinos, whose slaughter threatens not only the health of the species, but also local ecosystems, communities and livelihoods.”