German-Gabon initiative leads to adoption of a Resolution on tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife at the UN General Assembly
Today the 69th UN General Assembly in New York adopted the first ever Resolution to combat poaching and tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife.
In the margins of the September 2014 UN General Assembly in New York, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the President of Gabon jointly canvassed support for the resolution at an event organised by the Foreign Office. Today he explained:
"The fight against poaching and illicit trafficking in wildlife in Africa is not only a question for biological diversity but also a foreign and security policy concern. Proceeds from poaching are being used to fund criminal and in many cases even terrorist activities. In many countries in Africa this is a threat to their development and it includes the risk of destabilising them. This Resolution, initiated together by Germany and Gabon, signals our determination to counter this development."
Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks had launched a number of initiatives to counter illicit trade in wildlife products and garner stronger support from the international community. In response to the adoption of the Resolution she said:
"The poaching problem cannot be solved by Africa alone. It will only be overcome if all countries of origin, transit and destination show genuine commitment to countering the spread of illegal wildlife products. The Resolution calls for united action by the international community and as such is a milestone in itself. I particularly hope that the Resolution will induce consumers to change their attitude and lead to a drop in demand."
The Resolution is an expression of Germany's commitment to Africa within the UN framework. Germany and Gabon were both instrumental in drafting the text of the resolution and the motion was supported by a number of other states. The Resolution is a clear international commitment to stepping up joint efforts in fighting the dramatic increase in poaching and illicit trade in wildlife. It is primarily directed at improving criminal prosecution, strengthening international cooperation in combatting corruption and money laundering and reducing the demand for illegal products. Based on the Resolution, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will publish a report next year on the global state of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and present recommendations for action.
Poaching of rare species and the professionally organised trafficking in profitable wildlife products has seen a disconcerting revival and become one of the greatest challenges for species conservation. The African continent is particularly affected by these developments. In 2014 alone more than 20,000 elephants were killed to obtain ivory as a luxury good. If this development persists, half of the African elephants could disappear within a span of ten years.
In some regions they could even become extinct. Currently rhino horn is being traded on Asian black markets at a price exceeding that of gold. Over 1200 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa in 2014 alone. Minister Hendricks assumed patronage of a young black rhinoceros in the zoo in Berlin to raise awareness of the problem.
Illegal trade in protected fauna and flora species and products thereof ranks fourth on the list of worldwide organised criminal offences right behind drug dealing, human trafficking and product counterfeiting. The turnover is estimated to amount to at least 10 billion US dollars annually. Buyers are mainly found in Asia and North America.