ASEAN* recognizes the need for cooperative and incisive efforts to counter the multi-billion dollar black market trade in wildlife, which threatens global biodiversity, endangers public health, and undermines economic development.

On December 1, 2005, ASEAN issued a statement on the launching of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) with membership open to officials from Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Authorities, Customs, Police, Prosecutors, Specialized Governmental Wildlife-law Enforcement Organizations and other relevant national law enforcement agencies.Southeast Asia's rich biodiversity threatened by the global,multi-billion dollar trade in rare and endangered species.

ASEAN-WEN works closely with the CITES Secretariat, Interpol, World Customs Organization (WCO), and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The United States and China are also cooperating with ASEAN-WEN to reduce wildlife crime.

*Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
 

Malaysian Authorities Commended for Tough Stance Against Wildlife Trafficking
 
The ASEAN-WEN Program Coordination Unit recognizes and congratulates Malaysian authorities for the conviction and sentencing of a wildlife trafficker this week. Following up seizures and arrests with prosecution and sentencing will help create a strong deterrent for traffickers.
 
On June 3, Malaysian Marine Police caught a 43-year old Indonesian man with approximately 200kg of pangolin scales, 137 python skin and 100 water monitor lizard skin pieces. Facing prosecution, he pled guilty and was sentenced to 32 months jail.
 
Wildlife crime suppression is a vital part of biodiversity protection. ASEAN-WEN is organizing training activities throughout Southeast Asia to increase wildlife law enforcement capacity, including workshops for prosecutors and judges.