December 6, 2018, Bangkok - Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announce a new cooperative partnership to tackle illegal wildlife trade in Thailand under the “Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade, focusing on Ivory, Rhino Horn, Tiger, and Pangolins in Thailand” project, with funding support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Led by DNP, the 5-year project will be implemented in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Wildlife Forensic Network (TRACE), Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC), the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, and relevant Thai agencies.

The project aims to reduce trafficking of selected wildlife species in Thailand through enhanced enforcement capacity, collaboration, and targeted behaviour change campaigns for users, consumers and supporters of wildlife trade.

“The project we are launching today forms part of the GEF Global Wildlife Program, where Thailand is joining forces with 18 other countries across Africa and Asia in a coordinated approach to combating this global crime,” said Lovita Ramguttee, Interim Resident Representative of UNDP Thailand.

“We are already partnering with DNP on an ongoing GEF tiger conservation project in the Western Forest Complex, and we look forward to further strengthening this partnership as we launch this new project,” she added.

In translating Global policies into national actions, the project will employ four common approaches: 1) development of collaboration, coordination, and exchange of information 2) strengthening and the capacity of law enforcement officers and judicial proceedings through technical support of forensic science laboratory and techniques. 3) Reducing demand for wildlife and wildlife products. 4) Knowledge management along with exchange of knowledge, experience and lessons learned through the implementation of the project in collaboration with national and international stakeholders.

Moreover, implementation of the project will encompass the capacity building of law enforcement officers, provision of tools and equipment, awareness raising about the impact of wildlife trafficking and trade.

Expected outcomes of the project will also support Thailand in its commitment to important global conventions and declarations, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the United Nations Convention against Transnational Crimes (UNTOC), the United Nations Convention against Combating Narcotic Disorder (UNCAC) and the London Declaration on Wildlife and Plant Conservation London Declaration on Illegal Wildlife Trade.