Our Events and Webinars
Wildlife Justice at UN General Assembly High-Level Side Event “Protecting People and the Planet: Innovative approaches in Addressing Crimes that Affect the Environment"
8 Jun 2026
The Wildlife Justice Commission was proud to speak at the high-level side event “Protecting People and the Planet: Innovative approaches in Addressing Crimes that Affect the Environment” organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on 8 June, in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Debate on "Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Wildlife and other Crimes that Affect the Environment".
During this event, our Executive Director, Olivia Swaak-Goldman focused on crime convergence, emphasising that efforts to combat organised criminal networks engaging in wildlife trafficking—and broader environmental crime —should “follow the network, not the commodity,” as these groups often profit not only from trafficking in endangered wildlife but also from other serious and interconnected crimes, including drug trafficking and corruption.
Wildlife Justice calls for stronger global action against crimes that affect the environment at UNGA
8 Jun 2026
Wildlife Justice was proud to deliver an oral statement during the UN General Assembly High-Level Debate on “Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Wildlife and Other Crimes that Affect the Environment” on 8 June, calling on States to recognise crimes that affect the environment (CAE)—including wildlife trafficking—not only as a conservation issue but as a serious form of transnational organised crime, enabled by corruption.
In her intervention, our Executive Director, Olivia Swaak-Goldman, also highlighted key multilateral opportunities in 2026 to strengthen criminal justice responses to these crimes, including calls for States to support a dedicated Protocol on CAE under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) at the 13th Conference of the Parties in October 2026, and to report on progress in implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Resolution 11/9 on corruption as it relates to CAE, which contains important commitments to preventing and combatting these crimes.
These efforts are critical to further enhance international cooperation, harmonise criminalisation frameworks, enable the systemic use of key tools under UNTOC and UNCAC to CAE—thereby significantly strengthening the global response to CAE, including wildlife trafficking.
Wildlife Justice urges states to strengthen criminal justice responses to crimes that affect the environment
4 Jun 2026
At the 35th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), the Wildlife Justice Commission delivered an oral statement urging States to advance stronger criminal justice responses to crimes that affect the environment (CAE), including by supporting the development of a dedicated Protocol on CAE under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) at its upcoming 13th Conference of the Parties. The intervention also called on States to report on progress in implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Resolution 11/9 on corruption as it relates to CAE, adopted by consensus last year, which includes important commitments to preventing and combatting these crimes.
The statement underscored the importance of these efforts in strengthening international cooperation, harmonising criminalisation frameworks, enabling the systemic use of key tools under UNTOC and UNCAC—thereby bolstering the global response to CAE, including wildlife trafficking.
Wildlife Justice Commission at the 35th session of the CCPCJ
3 Jun 2026
The Wildlife Justice Commission was proud to host, together with Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Peru, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and WWF International, the side event “From Commitment to Action: Following the Money to Address Crimes that Affect the Environment” at the 35th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ).
The message from governments, civil society, and experts was clear: to combat crimes that affect the environment, we must follow the money. Discussions highlighted the often-overlooked role of illicit financial flows in enabling and driving these crimes, the need for more consistent use of financial investigations, stronger international cooperation and cross-sectoral partnerships, and greater attention to emerging threats, including cryptocurrency-enabled financial crime.
Enforcement in Action – CITES CoP20 2025 – Samarkand
29 Nov 2025
Wildlife Justice Commission co-hosted a high-level side event with Nigeria at the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Experts from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), UNODC, and Wildlife Justice discussed effective strategies to enforce protections for CITES-listed species when organised crime is involved. The Wildlife Justice–NCS partnership in Nigeria was highlighted as a leading example of how intelligence-led investigations, strong partnerships, and coordinated enforcement are delivering real, measurable reductions in pangolin and ivory trafficking.
Bridging Climate Security and Environmental Crime: Latin America’s Interconnected Challenge at the 2025 Berlin Climate and Security Conference
23 Oct 2025
At the 2025 Berlin Climate and Security Conference, the Wildlife Justice Commission participated in the session “Bridging climate security and environmental crime: Latin America’s interconnected challenge”, alongside experts Carlos Sanchez del Aguila, Marcus Schroder, Thomas Ungerbuehler, Nicole Quijano-Evans, and Johannes Zahnen.
Moderated by Benjamin Pohl (adelphi), the discussion explored how breaking silos and fostering collaboration can strengthen responses to the intertwined challenges of environmental crime, climate security, and governance across Latin America.
Harnessing the Power of UNTOC against Crimes that Affect the Environment – 34th CCPCJ – Vienna
20 May 2025
At the 34th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), experts explored how law enforcement strategies rooted in the UNTOC framework are effectively disrupting wildlife trafficking networks. A representative from the Permanent Mission of Peru to Vienna and speakers from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL & the WJC highlighted best practices and lessons learned in combating ivory & pangolin scale trafficking networks, offering actionable insights to strengthen implementation of UNTOC tools globally. The WJC also presented key findings from our newly published report, Disruption and Disarray, offering novel insights into what works in disrupting wildlife trafficking networks.
Joint action: Harnessing partnerships to combat crimes that affect the environment – UNTOC COP12 – Vienna
17 Oct 2024
In an event organised and moderated by the Wildlife Justice Commission at the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), a panel of experts from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), and Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime (EWC) highlighted the critical role that civil society organisations (CSOs) can play in promoting and supporting the implementation of the UNTOC to prevent and combat such crimes. The event featured opening remarks from the Permanent Missions of Peru and France to Vienna, and closing remarks from U.S. Ambassador to the UN in Vienna, who emphasized the crucial role of CSOs and partnerships in tackling crimes that affect the environment.
Transnational Corruption: Shedding Light on the Networks that Enable Environmental Crimes – 21st IACC – Vilnius
19 Jun 2024
During the 21st International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 18-21 June 2024 this workshop we coordinated explored the nexus between transnational corruption, environmental crimes, and other forms of serious organised crime. Featuring: Nature Crime Alliance, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Corruption and Economic Crime Branch, Wildlife Justice Commission, Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition and Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
Implementing the UNTOC and UNCAC to effectively address crimes that affect the environment – 33rd CCPCJ – Vienna
16 May 2024
Our Executive Director Olivia Swaak-Goldman, together with panelists from Peru, France, UNODC, and INTERPOL took part in a side event organised by the Wildlife Justice Commission at the 33rd session of the CCPCJ in Vienna.
The discussion showcased case studies highlighting the importance of international cooperation and technical assistance in combatting crimes that affect the environment, particularly wildlife crime, fisheries crime, illegal logging, and illegal mining.
From surviving to thriving: combatting crimes in the fisheries sector for healthy and resilient oceans – 2024 Ocean Decade Conference – Barcelona
9 Apr 2024
The Wildlife Justice Commission co-organised a satellite event on crimes in the fisheries sector as part of the 2024 UN Ocean Decade Week in Barcelona.
Our Director of Policy Lisa Hartevelt, together with representatives from the Sri Lanka Navy, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and Skylight discussed the impact of crimes in the fisheries sector and strategies to combat them, emphasizing the role of criminal justice systems, new technologies, and multistakeholder partnerships in the conservation and sustainable use of our oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Not so special? The use of special investigative techniques and joint investigations against environmental crimes: Women in action
26 May 2023
During the 32nd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), this hybrid event focused on promoting the effective use of the provisions under the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) on joint investigations and special investigative techniques to address environmental crimes and the corruption that enables them. The side event also highlighted the role of women in fighting crimes that affect the environment.
Environmental Crime, Corruption and Climate Crisis
8 Dec 2022
The hybrid session Strengthening Anti-Corruption Frameworks and Enforcement Measures to Protect the Environment, the Climate and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Communities was coordinated by the Wildlife Justice Commission and took place during the 20th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) held in Washington, D.C. from 6-10 December 2022.
Putting rhinos back on the radar
22 Sep 2022
A joint webinar hosted by WWF South Africa and the Wildlife Justice Commission to mark World Rhino Day 2022. The webinar focused on the status of African rhino populations and gave insight into an analysis of the trafficking of rhino horn over the last decade.
The Illicit Wildlife Trade Developments, Responses, and Lessons Learned to Support SDG 15
7 Jul 2022
During the 2022 UN High Level Political Forum the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) joined the Wildlife Justice Commission in co-organising a session about innovative responses that target different stages in international trafficking flows. Speakers shared their experiences of the progress that has been made in disrupting the illicit wildlife trade, but also outlined key challenges that remain and provided recommendations to member states for further improvements to the global response.
Wildlife Justice Commission Executive Director Olivia Swaak-Goldman statement on tackling environmental crimes
19 May 2022
Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Eaxecutive Director of the Wildlife Justice Commission, took the floor during the plenary of the 31st Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPJC) in Vienna. Olivia Swaak-Goldman’s intervention called on States to effectively implement key recommendations endorsed earlier this year at the CCPCJ expert discussions which focused on tackling environmental crimes.
Addressing illicit financial flows derived from crimes that affect the environment: Good practices and challenges
15 Feb 2022
Financial gain is the incentive driving organised environmental crimes. Despite increased awareness, law enforcement agencies have yet to systemically leverage one of the most effective tools: financial investigations. To share best practices, the Wildlife Justice Commission co-hosted an online panel discussion with France. The panel discussion was an online side event to the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice’s (CCPCJ) Expert Discussions on Crimes that Affect the Environment.
Crime Convergence: Intelligent Approaches to Organised Crime
17 Jun 2021
A panel of experts reflected on the recommendations of our latest report ‘Convergence of wildlife crime with other forms of organised crime’.
Leveraging the best tools to address environmental crime enabled by corruption
4 Jun 2021
This side event at United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) against Corruption was hosted by France. It focused on the links between corruption, environmental crimes, and the implementation of the UNCAC Resolution 8/12.
Wildlife Crime: The soft underbelly of organised crime
16 Oct 2020
The Wildlife Justice Commission and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) co-hosted an online panel discussion during the 10th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC). Panellists examined how the cross-cutting nature of wildlife crime can present multiple entry points for law enforcement engaged against organised crime.
WJC pledge at Illegal Wildlife Trade 2018
11 Oct 2018
Our pledge at the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference, London, 2018, to assist law enforcement and policy efforts to fight transnational wildlife crime.
Featured Events and Webinars
Setting the scene: Combating Corruption to Protect the Environment
13 Dec 2023
At the 10th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, we co-organised a “mega event” together with a number of States and other organisations. As part of this event, in the Setting the scene session, experts explored how corruption facilitates environmental crime and identified gaps in current anti-corruption initiatives. We presented findings from our most recent report on the nexus of corruption and crime in the wildlife trafficking supply chain.
Ecocide: A Discussion of Law and Ethics
20 Jan 2022
In this time of climate change, environmental harm is a matter of international concern, even if the damage is inflicted within national borders. This webinar brought together key perspectives to focus on the legal and ethical issues of creating an international legal framework for ecocide.
Tackling corruption linked to environmental crime
17 Dec 2021
During the 9th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, panelists presented case studies of successfully adjudicated cases, and examples of how corruption facilitates different forms of environmental crime.
