Species conservation

The ASEAN region provides habitats for some of the world’s most iconic species and increasingly vulnerable species. Species unique to Southeast Asia are facing increasing environmental pressures such as habitat loss from deforestation and land conversion; poaching and illegal trade in wildlife; poor wildlife law enforcement; pollution; climate change; and many others affect species populations, breeding, and reproduction.

Thousands of species are endangered and on the brink of extinction, leading to the possible loss of both enigmatic and economically important species. The rapid deterioration of habitats may already mean the loss of many unrecorded and little studied species that may have infinite benefits to humankind.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. CITES and various regional and national laws have been promulgated to protect species from extinction. CITES protects roughly 5,600 species of animals and 30,000 species of plants against over-exploitation through international trade.

Species conservation is a particular focus of the Aichi Targets as indicated in Target 12, that “By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained.” As the ecosystem approach is often undertaken in species conservation, such efforts will also contribute to the achievement of Target 5: “By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced,” and Target 7: “By 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of biodiversity.”

Wildlife law enforcement

Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s greatest biological diversity. Over 600 million people rely on biodiversity and ecosystem services for their food, livelihoods, medicines, shelter, and aesthetic pleasure. However, the region’s unique and essential natural heritage is under serious threat. Overexploitation – such as illegal logging, destructive and over-fishing, poaching and trafficking of wild plants and animals – continues in the region. Among the reasons for this are the region’s high biodiversity, well-established smuggling routes and accessible transport links. Moreover, illegal wildlife dealers often utilize well established and highly organized cross-border networks to transport illegal wildlife. A considerable proportion of such illegal trade is shipped as airfreight, cargo or carried in personal baggage, much of crosses international borders undetected.

Wildlife crime has a negative impact on a country’s economy and national security. Governments lose revenues with the proliferation of illegal wildlife trade. Illegal wildlife trade, when linked to organized crime, violence, corruption and armed conflict, may destabilize governments and threaten regional security. Part of the problem lies on inadequate law enforcement and coordination among government agencies, and low public awareness on the importance of reducing the incidence of illegal wildlife trade. In order to effectively combat illegal wildlife trade, whether organized or individual activities, law enforcement agencies need to form an organized front.

In response, ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) leads the efforts against illegal wildlife trade. This is the world’s largest wildlife law enforcement network comprising enforcement agencies from the ten ASEAN Member States. ASEAN-WEN is a mechanism by which countries can share information and learn from each other’s best practices. Through annual meetings, workshops and trainings, ASEAN-WEN facilitates increased capacity and better coordination and collaboration of law enforcement agencies between Southeast Asian countries, regionally and globally. It has links with the CITES offices, Interpol, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Justice, and other wildlife law enforcement groups.