A/RES/73/343
Tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife
Expressing serious concern over the extraordinarily detrimental levels of
rhinoceros poaching, the alarmingly high levels of killings of elephants in Africa and
the significant increase in illicit pangolin trafficking, as well as the illegal trade in
other protected wildlife species, including but not limited to tortoises, marine and
freshwater turtles, land and marine iguanas, other reptiles, sharks, ornamental fish,
great apes, parrots, raptors, the helmeted hornbill and big cats, which threaten those
species with local extinction and, in some cases, with global extinction,
Noting with concern that, in addition to long-established illicit markets, new
illicit markets are constantly emerging and pushing other species into the endangered
category, such as the European eel or, owing to the illegal pet trade, the Philippine
forest turtle and the pancake tortoise,
Underlining the need to take measures to prevent illegal timber harvesting,
which leads to the decimation of rare timber species, in particular of rosewood,
agarwood and sandalwood, and noting the reported increase in legal rosewood
imports derived from illegal sources,
Recognizing that illicit trafficking in wildlife contributes to the extinction of
many species and damage to ecosystems and rural livelihoods, including those based
on ecotourism, undermines good governance and the rule of law and, in some cases,
threatens national stability and requires enhanced transnational and regional
cooperation and coordination in response,
Emphasizing that the protection of wildlife must be part of a comprehensive
approach to achieving poverty eradication, food security, sustainable development,
including the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, economic
growth, social well-being and sustainable livelihoods,
Emphasizing also, in this regard, the need to develop context-specific solutions
for the sustainable and resilient coexistence of humans and wildlife, both within and
outside protected areas, with the aim of contributing to the improvement of
livelihoods and to conservation efforts,
Recalling its resolution 61/295 of 13 September 2007, entitled “United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”, and recognizing the essential
engagement role of indigenous peoples and local communities to ensure a sustainable
solution to addressing the illegal wildlife trade,
Reaffirming its call for holistic and integrated approaches to sustainable
development that will guide humanity to live in harmony with nature and lead to
efforts to restore the health and integrity of the Earth’s ecosystem, which will
contribute to the creation of a shared future based upon our common humanity,
Recognizing with concern the growth in online trade and cybercrime as well as
the role of social media platforms in the context of the illegal trade in wildlife and
wildlife products, which require innovative strategies and increased intergovernmental
cooperation, as appropriate,
Concerned about the persistent use of forged or illegally issued permits and
certificates or the fraudulent use of authentic permits and certificates in order to
misuse domestic legal markets to mask trade in illegally obtained wildlife or wildlife
products, or to launder such illegally obtained wildlife or wildlife products,
Recognizing the legal framework provided by and the important role of the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 2
as the primary mechanism for regulating international trade in species of wild fauna
__________________
2
2/8
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 993, No. 14537.
19-15932