South Asian nations pledge coordinated action against wildlife crime

South Asian nations have pledged to strengthen coordinated efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade and related transnational organized crime. This commitment was formalized through the Kathmandu Declaration, adopted during the first General Assembly of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) held in Kathmandu on September 10–11.

Member countries, including Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bhutan, agreed to implement coordinated criminal justice responses. Key strategies include intelligence sharing, financial investigations, anti-money laundering measures, asset recovery, and the prosecution of organized criminal networks operating across national borders.

The declaration emphasizes that wildlife crime threatens regional biodiversity, natural heritage, security, and sustainable development. To bolster enforcement, the nations also agreed to promote regional knowledge sharing, research, and the use of science and technology.