Linkages between corruption and wildlife crime: UNDP Lessons learned Presentation By Anga R Timilsina, Programme Manager, UNDP Global Anti-corruption Initiative (GAIN), 17 November 2015
Outline 1. Linkages between corruption and wildlife crime 2. Key corruption trends and indicators 3. UNDP approach in tackling the wildlife crime/trafficking 4. Tools and/or programmes in tackling the wildlife trafficking 2
Linkages between wildlife crime and corruption Wildlife crime Few economic opportunities Int l/transnational dimensions Low level of awareness Weak governance enforcement Corruption Corruption: one of the most critical factors enabling illicit wildlife trafficking
2014 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of countries with high wildlife poaching Cameroon: Score 27 (rank 136/175) CAR: Score 24 (rank 150/175) DRC: Score 22 (rank 154/175) Gabon: Score 37 (rank 94/175) Kenya: Score 25 (rank 145/175) Tanzania: Score 31 (rank 119/175)
Linkages between wildlife crime and corruption (contd.) Corruption to facilitate - fraudulent trade, or forge import/export certificates Origin/supply Trade/ trafficking Demand/ Consumption Corruption involves a variety of actors: CITES authorities, public officials, villagers, forest rangers, police, customs, traders and brokers, professional/international hunters, logistics companies (shipping lines, airlines), veterinarians, and game farmers.
Corruption along the wildlife trade route: risks/trends/indicators How corruption facilitates poaching crimes (a few examples): 1. Corruption used to influence policymakers decisions related to wildlife protection (policy capture) 2. Bribes/extortion/favoritism/preferential treatment/document fraud in the process of issuing hunting licenses 3. Bribes or favoritism to influence procurement processes (e.g., South Africa incident) 4. Bribes/corruption to access confidential information such as permits for rhino horn possession 5. Bribing of villagers to poach animals Source: U4 expert answer, Wildlife Crime and Corruption, 15 Feb 2013 Origin/supply
Corruption along the wildlife trade route: risks/trends/indicators Trade/ trafficking How corruption facilitates trafficking, trade, sale and supply (a few examples): 1. Illegal payments for the issuance of export notification documents in contravention of domestic legislation or Int l convention (e.g., blank export permits). 2. Corruption facilitating the process of accepting or authorising the exported shipment 3. Bribery and other illegal advantages offered at each border control 4. Conflict of interest between regulators and wildlife trade companies (e.g., financial interest) 5. Corruption to influence policymakers decisions related to trade in wildlife and wildlife parts 6. Misuse of diplomatic immunities in contravention to wildlife regulations. Source: U4 expert answer, Wildlife Crime and Corruption, 15 Feb 2013
Corruption and Impunity Hunting groups - the protection of local patrons Illegal payments or political interference to avoid investigations/prosecution/ administrative sanctions or to obstruct justice.
UNDP approach in tackling the wildlife crime/trafficking UNDP promotes an integrated approach (addressing poverty, inequality and exclusion, weak governance, resilience and sustainability) Focusing on communities where site-level enforcement is key, linking a range of national stakeholders for cohesive countrylevel action, and working with regional/international partners UNDP three pronged strategy Leveraging on global network, knowledge and partnerships (e.g., UNEP. UNODC, INTERPOL, World Bank, IUCN, WWF, ADB Works across the supply chain that drives the trade, addressing illegal supply, transit, and demand Expanding economic opportunities, including of women and men living in poverty Strengthening governance and law enforcement Raising awareness of the problem among all stakeholders
Programming areas for strengthening institutions Corruption risks analysis in supply chain (focus on both prevention and enforcement) Cross sectoral cooperation (governance/conflict prevention, biodiversity/sustainable development) Strengthening rule of law (overall governance environment) Building synergies between anti-corruption agencies and wild life protection/law enforcement agencies) Improving legal environment (e.g., strong anti-corruption legislations) Strengthening monitoring and oversight by ACAs, civil society, community, etc. Open data/access to info (e.g., access to wild life info, automation of customs, etc.) International cooperation/mutual legal assistance
Tools and/or programmes in tackling the wildlife trafficking UNODC, Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytical Tool, 2012 (for analyzing preventive and criminal justice responses to wildlife and forest offences) UNDP, Users Guide to measuring corruption and anti-corruption 2013 (for a methodology to design corruption risk assessment) UNDP/UN-REDD, Staying on track: Mitigating Corruption Risks in Climate change, 2010 (to map out corruption at the national level including forestry sector) FAO, The Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land and other Natural Resources
Tools and/or programmes in tackling the wildlife trafficking (contd.) UNDP-GEF biodiversity and ecosystems portfolio which is the largest in the UN system, covering over 130 countries and 500 projects Global Partnership On Wildlife Conservation And Crime Prevention For Sustainable Development: World Bank Group (lead agency), UNDP, UNEP, IUCN, WWF, and ADB (Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, India, Indonesia, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia UN-REDD programme: United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries UNDP Global Anti-corruption Initiative (GAIN)
Thank you! For more information: Paul Harrison, Global Adviser on Wildlife Enforcement UNDP - Global Environmental Finance paul.harrison@undp.org Anga Timilsina, Programme Manager UNDP Global Anti-corruption Initiative (GAIN) anga.timilsina@undp.org