Thai Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment announces action on illegal wildlife trade at London Conference
On 11 and 12 October 2018, a delegation of 15 from Thailand, led by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, General Surasak Karnjanarat, joined the international conference on illegal wildlife trade (IWT) in London.
At the IWT Conference, Thailand also signed the declaration for the first time.
General Surasak Karnjanarat, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment of Thailand pledged:
. . Joining the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade, Thailand affirms our commitment to work with the international community to ensure the implementation of CITES provisions in order to govern international trade in endangered species . .
The Minister highlighted Thai progress in solving the problem of IWT, including the recent introduction of legislation to stop illegal ivory trade locally and the seizure of ivory products worth $36.5 million USD under Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Act. He also pledged further Thai funding to improve protection at wildlife sanctuaries, prevent the illegal wildlife trade and work to counter transboundary trafficking.
In the margins of the conference, Ministers from Thailand, Laos and Myanmar held a meeting to discuss making the illegal wildlife trade a key element of Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship next year.