“Now more than ever, international unity is needed to protect threatened species across the globe. As poachers and criminals who trade in illegal wildlife have no national frontiers, nor does our global campaign against them.” Caroline Dinenage MP.
This October, significant progress has been made in protecting endangered species at the London 2018 Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) Conference. More than 500 countries and over 400 other groups are committed to tackling this abhorrent and lucrative organised crime. This was the fourth state-led global conference and the largest so far.
Highlights of the conference include the creation of the new international Ivory Alliance 2024 and the news that Laos has committed to a total ban on ivory. Through the IWT Challenge Fund, the UK has invested £18.5 million in over 60 projects, including £4.5 million for fourteen new IWTCF projects.
The IWT renewed its commitment to tackling the serious organised crime and stamping out the illegal trade, highlighting the essential role of local communities.
Caroline commented:
“It is fantastic to see global leaders working together to protect the world’s most iconic species from the threat of extinction. It has been devastating to see the impact of the illegal trade on some of the world’s most magnificent animals and their local habitats, the strides made at this year’s conference show the global commitment to stamp out this abhorrent trade and end wildlife crime.”