In an effort to ensure the ASEAN region can mount an effective long-term response to wildlife crime, the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network’s Experts Group met in Bangkok from 19-20 July, 2010, to discuss strategies of financial and regional long-term budget support for the Network. ASEAN-WEN is currently the world’s largest wildlife law enforcement network. The ASEAN-WEN Experts Group Workshop on “Building a Strong and Effective Network for the Future” was hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand. “This workshop is an opportunity for us to show our strong support to the network that we – all of us – created. It is also an occasion to show our commitment to saving the region’s biodiversity”, said Mr. Nipon Chotbal, Deputy Director General of the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Thailand.
“ASEAN-WEN Member States will have to work together to achieve the ultimate goal of eliminating illegal wildlife trade in our region”, said U Tin Tun, the Chairman of ASEAN-WEN, highlighting the importance of long-term support for the Network and its mission.
The Expert’s Group identified key priorities such as the development of national task forces, the institutionalization of trainings, expanding partnerships with intergovernmental and international organizations as well as the increased awareness and commitment by ASEAN governments and their citizens.
“Several parallel tracks are being employed to ensure the Network continues to gain firm footing and secure long-term financial resources. These include: facilitating meetings; encouraging regional cooperation; exploring possible links with other regional and international networks; exploring staff exchanges and cultivating partner countries like India and China’s productive engagement in ASEAN-WEN”, said Mr. Manop Lauprasert, Senior Officer of ASEAN-WEN’s Project Coordination Unit (PCU).
ASEAN-WEN Member Countries, in close collaboration with key partners and donors in the region, agreed on a scheme that will guarantee a strong and fruitful future for the Network. ASEAN Member States revised ASEAN-WEN’s Programmatic and Operational action plan based on the updated ASEAN-WEN Strategic Plan of Action 2007-2012. This shall be submitted to the ASEAN Expert's Group on CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species) and the ASEAN Senior Officers on Forestry (ASOF) this year, before being proposed to the ASEAN Secretariat for endorsement and inclusion under its core programs funding mechanism.
The workshop was organized by the Royal Thai Government, in close cooperation with the ASEAN-WEN Program Coordination Unit, the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN-WEN Support Program, and with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Key donors and partner agencies that took part in this workshop include the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Asian Development Bank‘s Greater Mekong Subregion Environment Operations Center (GMS-EOC).
Wildlife crime is a serious threat to Southeast Asia’s biodiversity and environment. USAID, via a cooperative partnership with FREELAND Foundation and TRAFFIC, provides technical assistance to ASEAN governments to boost capacity and cooperation to stop wildlife crime through the ASEAN-WEN Support Program.