Photo: Ministry

DHAKA, Sept 11, 2026 (BSS) - By consensus, member countries of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) today adopted the 'Kathmandu Declaration' to strengthen regional cooperation to combat illegal wildlife trade and related transnational organized crime in South Asia.

On the closing day of the first General Assembly of SAWEN held in Kathmandu of Nepal, ministers and heads of delegations of the member countries adopted this declaration today, said a press release here.

It said the declaration reaffirms the commitment of member countries to strengthening regional cooperation in preventing, detecting and suppressing illegal wildlife trade and to the goals and policies of SAWEN.

Expressing concern, the declaration said that illegal wildlife trade is increasingly turning into more complex transnational organized crime. Corruption, illicit financial flows, other serious crimes, misuse of digital technology and border vulnerabilities are being linked to it.

In the Kathmandu Declaration, member countries emphasized intelligence-based and financial investigations, anti-money laundering measures, asset recovery, and effective judicial measures to combat serious wildlife crimes, especially those involving transnational and organized criminal networks. 

At the same time, they committed to further strengthening information and intelligence sharing, coordinated law enforcement, and criminal justice cooperation. The declaration spoke of enhancing capacity to address wildlife crime, biopiracy, illegal access to biological resources, and emerging threats through science, technology, innovation, research and regional knowledge exchange. Additionally, it committed to strengthening the capacity and safety of rangers, customs officials, police, prosecutors, and other frontline personnel.

In his closing remarks at the first General Assembly, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said that wildlife crime can no longer be tackled by any single country alone. This crime is increasingly becoming organized, cross-border, and technology-driven. Just as traffickers do not respect national borders, the response of law enforcement agencies must also transcend borders and be coordinated.

"The environment of cooperation, mutual trust, and shared commitment created among member countries at the meeting is an important foundation for future regional initiatives," he added.
The minister called for giving greater importance especially to timely intelligence sharing, joint investigations and coordinated operations, close cooperation among relevant law enforcement agencies, and online wildlife trafficking and financial investigations.

The Kathmandu Declaration also pledged to engage local communities, civil society, academics, youth, women, media, and the relevant private sector, including transport, logistics, financial services, e-commerce, and tourism, to raise public awareness, education, bring about behavioral change, and reduce demand for illegal wildlife products. 

It was announced that 30 January will be observed as 'SAWEN Day' every year.

Furthermore, emphasis was placed on strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation to combat cross-border wildlife crime and increasing partnerships with relevant international and regional conventions, organizations, and development partners.