UK Government, UNODC support Paraguay against environmental crimes
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Paraguay's Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES), with the financial support of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) of the United Kingdom, presented tools from the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) to fight environmental crimes.
Photo: UNODC
The UNODC’s Environment Team and MADES brought together more than 70 justice operators and law enforcement agents to establish a baseline regarding the State’s response to wildlife and forest crime. The event took place in the capital Asuncion last 17, 18 and 19 May 2022.
During the event, the ICCWC presented its Indicator Framework. Paraguay became the fifth country in the region to implement this self-assessment tool that allows authorities to identify their needs and strengths, as well as to establish a baseline to monitor progress in combating crimes that affect the environment, violate the legal system and intensify the loss of biodiversity.
Representatives of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, National Police, Supreme Court of Justice, National Administration of Navigation and Ports (ANNP), National Animal Health Service (SENACSA), Secretariat for the Prevention of Money Laundering (SEPRELAD), National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD), (MADES), among others, produced a participatory diagnosis of the State’s responses in the fight against wildlife and forest crime. This diagnosis and reports to follow will allow Paraguay to monitor progress and explore possible areas of cooperation with all stakeholders.
In the words of John Davie, Charge D’Affaires at British Embassy in Asuncion:
It is a priority in the national political agenda, and for the United Kingdom, to continue joining efforts in the fight against environmental crimes; in order to achieve the balance of the planet and the health of all people.
To learn more, visit UNODC’s page
Contact information:
- Karol Garcia, Projects and Prosperity Assistant: Karol.Garcia@fcdo.gov.uk
- Ana Lucia Yepez, Environment Communications Specialist at UNODC: ana.yepez@un.org