After years of diplomatic efforts, Resolution A/RES/69/314 on Tackling the Illicit Trafficking in Wildlife was adopted at the 69th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on 30th July 2015. The resolution was co-sponsored by Gabon and Germany, responding to the explosion of wildlife crime including poaching and illegal trafficking of wildlife.
“This resolution is historic, and of the highest level. The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) in representation of the global hunting community welcomes the resolution and at the same time is proud to have contributed to its development” – said Bernard Lozé, President of the CIC.
Although the resolution does not explicitly mention hunters and hunting as actors and tool for the battle against wildlife crime, the sustainable use of natural resources is strongly embedded into the resolution as important contributor to the conservation of wildlife.
The resolution welcomes the efforts of and the cooperation between member states, intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations, as well as activities of United Nations agencies and other entities aimed at preventing and fighting illicit trafficking in wildlife. The CIC is particularly proud to have played a crucial role in the creation of the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW) which ensures cooperation between now 13 international organisations with mandates related to different aspects of wildlife conservation (http://www.fao.org/forestry/wildlife-partnership/en/). The CIC hopes that this UN-Resolution will have the required effect on additional resource mobilisation not only for the purposes of wildlife crime prosecution, but also to improve all possible prevention measures, which need to cater for the changed environment in wildlife crime, now with a huge drive by international crime syndicates.
“We are pleased that the resolution calls for illicit trafficking of wild fauna and flora involving organised criminal groups being regarded as a serious crime, and the CIC welcomes the call for the appointment of a Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations to promote awareness and to galvanize international action. Hereby, it would be of imminent importance that such a Special Envoy has a balanced view on wildlife conservation, which includes the sustainable use of wildlife”, said Bernard Lozé.
Please see also the joint press release (in German language) of the German Hunting Federation (DJV) and the German Delegation of the CIC: https://www.jagdverband.de/content/djv-und-cic-begr%C3%BC%C3%9Fen-un-resolution-gegen-wilderei
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at office@cic-wildlife.org or Tel.: +36-23-453 830 (website: cic-wildlife.org)
Vision of the CIC: A world that values and supports sustainable hunting for the benefit of people and nature.
Mission of the CIC: To promote – across the globe – sustainable hunting to conserve wildlife and wild lands, support communities and preserve our hunting heritage.