ASEAN countries recognize the need for more aggressive efforts to counter the multi-billion dollar black market trade in wildlife that threatens global biodiversity, endangers public health, and undermines economic wellbeing. On December 1, 2005, ASEAN issued a statement on the launching of the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN).
What is ASEAN-WEN ?
A regional INTERGOVERNMENTAL law-enforcement network designed to combat the illegal wildlife trade
A proactive response to Southeast Asia’s alarming levels of wildlife trafficking and loss
A mechanism by which countries can share information and learn from each other's best example activities
ASEAN Statement on Launching of the ASEAN Wildlife Law Enforcement Network
Bangkok, Dec 2005
Recognizing that each Member Country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is also a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES);
Convinced that enforcement of CITES and related national legislation must be a constant concern of the Parties at the highest level if they are to succeed in fulfilling the objectives of the Convention;
Convinced of the need to strengthen enforcement of CITES and other legislation for wildlife protection to address serious problems caused by illegal domestic and international trade in wild fauna and flora, and that the available resources for enforcement are inadequate;
Recognizing that the preamble of the Convention states that international cooperation is essential for the protection of certain species of wild fauna and flora against over-exploitation through international trade;
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