South Asian Countries Pledge Stronger Action Against Illegal Wildlife Trade

South Asian countries have pledged stronger coordinated action to prevent and combat illegal wildlife trade, including through intelligence sharing, financial investigations, anti-money laundering measures and prosecution of organised criminal networks. The commitment was outlined in the Kathmandu Declaration, adopted at the first General Assembly of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network, or SAWEN, held in Kathmandu on Thursday and Friday.

SAWEN is a regional intergovernmental mechanism comprising India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bhutan.

The member countries reaffirmed their political commitment to tackling illegal wildlife trade and related transnational organised crime, warning that wildlife crime threatens the region’s biodiversity and natural heritage, as well as the rule of law, security and sustainable development.

Under the declaration, the countries agreed to strengthen coordinated criminal justice responses against serious wildlife crimes, particularly those involving organised criminal groups operating across national borders. The measures include intelligence-led and financial investigations, anti-money laundering action, asset recovery and effective prosecution. The countries also backed regional and global efforts to recognise serious wildlife crime as a form of transnational organised crime.