Enviro News Asia, Geneva — The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have launched a strategic partnership aimed at intensifying global efforts to combat environmental crimes, including wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, fisheries crime, pollution, and other offenses linked to transnational organized crime.
The agreement seeks to bridge conservation science and international criminal justice while supporting relevant resolutions adopted by the United Nations and IUCN. It also reinforces commitments to human rights and the protection of environmental defenders, including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, park rangers, whistleblowers, and climate advocates who face increasing threats while safeguarding nature.
UNODC Executive Director Monica Juma said environmental crimes extend beyond ecological destruction, affecting livelihoods, communities, and the rule of law.
“Crimes that affect the environment do more than just damage nature; they threaten livelihoods, harm communities, and undermine the rule of law. Tackling these crimes requires strong partnerships that bring together science, policy, and law enforcement action,” Juma said.
She noted that the collaboration combines IUCN’s scientific and conservation expertise with UNODC’s mandate to strengthen criminal justice systems and international cooperation, creating a stronger global response to transnational environmental crimes.
IUCN Director General Dr. Grethel Aguilar described environmental crime as one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and human well-being.
“This renewed collaboration reflects the growing recognition that environmental crime is one of the most significant threats to biodiversity, ecosystem integrity and human wellbeing. By bringing together IUCN’s scientific expertise and UNODC’s leadership in criminal justice, we can strengthen the global response to environmental crime and support countries in preventing these crimes through stronger legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms,” Aguilar said.
Under a joint workplan, the two organizations will cooperate on international policy and legal frameworks, support member states, and contribute to relevant treaties and global initiatives. The partnership is expected to help countries strengthen legislation and improve cross-border cooperation in addressing environmental crimes.
A key priority will be enhancing law enforcement and criminal justice capacities. IUCN will provide scientific expertise to support UNODC in integrating biodiversity data into legal instruments, monitoring systems, and crime prevention strategies.
The cooperation also creates opportunities for joint training programs for customs officials, police officers, coast guards, and prosecutors to improve their ability to detect, prevent, and prosecute environmental crimes.
In addition, both organizations will collaborate on research and data sharing to analyze trends, identify high-risk areas, and develop innovative methodologies and indicators to better understand wildlife trade, emerging threats, and criminal activities affecting ecosystems.
The partnership comes amid growing concerns over increasingly sophisticated and organized environmental crimes that threaten biodiversity, weaken governance, and place additional pressure on communities and individuals working to protect natural resources. (*)
