2nd INTERPOL–UNEP International Environmental
Compliance and Enforcement Conference (IECEC-2)

The Second International Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Conference opened today in Singapore, convened by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

After observing one minute of silence to show respect for the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks, Noboru Nakatani, Executive Director of the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation (GCI), opened the debate by stressing the importance of the conference for reviewing progress since the last INTERPOL-UNEP meeting in 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya. He emphasized the need for participants to establish a road map for the next two years in accordance with the recently adopted sustainable developed goals (SDGs). He urged focus on transboundary environmental crimes and stressed the role of digital technology to enforce existing legislation and foster international cooperation, innovation and integration of global technology to combat environmental crimes.

Edna Molewa, Minister of Environmental Affairs, South Africa, delivered the first keynote address, stressing that an increase in environmental crime must be recognized as driven by greed and organized by criminal syndicates exploiting enforcement weaknesses and poor local communities. Susi Pudjiastuti, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia, in the second keynote address, highlighted that fisheries crime—including illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing—is a threat to a fisheries-based economy. She called on countries to work together, noting fisheries crime is “not only about fish” given its transnational nature.

David Higgins, Assistant Director, Environmental Security Sub-Directorate, INTERPOL, described the process leading up to the engagement by INTERPOL in the field of environmental law enforcement.

Participants then engaged in sessions on sustainable development goals and effective environmental compliance and enforcement; international cooperation on climate legislation: enhancing enforcement capabilities; and vibrant networks and capacity development. The day concluded with a summary of key outcomes.

On Tuesday, 17 November, Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Conference participants reconvened for a full day of panel discussions. Claudia McMurray, Senior Counsellor, Prince of Wales’ International Trust, chaired the session on wildlife and forest crime, noting that political momentum must now be translated into “action on the ground.” John Scanlon, Secretary General, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), highlighted the role of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) and its Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit, calling for better implementation at the national level of existing international efforts.

Azzedine Downes, Chief Executive Officer, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), highlighted the challenges in creating a mechanism for enabling intelligence sharing. Crawford Allan, Senior Programme Director, Wildlife Crime and Illegal Trade, TRAFFIC, discussed collaborative actions with the private sector.

During the session on waste management vulnerabilities and law enforcement interventions, Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary, Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, highlighted the work of the three Conventions in addressing illegal waste and the range of tools available to prevent it. Participants highlighted the need for an effective transport system for hazardous waste.

The session on fisheries crime focused on actions to combat illegal fishing and associated challenges. The last session on investigations and intelligence, chaired by Chris Warrener, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), highlighted that the establishment of partnerships is vital for successful action against criminal organizations.

After the presentation of summary of outcomes, nominees to the Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Committee presented their candidacies to the participants. New members will be elected on 18 November, 2015.

David Higgins, INTERPOL, concluded the Conference by underscoring the importance of improving synergies among different constituencies and networks in order to better address new and transnational threats.