The ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) was officially launched on 1 December 2005, as a regional inter-agency and inter-governmental initiative to counter the illegal cross-border trade in endangered flora and fauna. It helps countries share information on and tackle cross-border wildlife crime and facilitates the exchange of regional best practices in combating those crimes. As the world's largest wildlife law enforcement network, it comprises the law enforcement agencies of the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand) forming a regional intergovernmental law-enforcement network.
Overview The establishment of ASEAN-WEN was a response by the governments of Southeast Asia to the illegal wildlife trade. ASEAN-WEN addresses illegal exploitation and trade in CITES-listed endangered species within the ASEAN region. ASEAN-WEN promotes implementation of national wildlife protection laws and international species protection treaties, with the goal of reducing illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia through the dismantlement of the region's major wildlife trafficking networks. ASEAN-WEN works closely with the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Partners ASEAN-WEN is supported by USAID, the US Agency for International Development. Non-governmental organization partners include FREELAND Foundation, and TRAFFIC, the international wildlife trade monitoring network. ASEAN-WEN has developed links with partner countries and intergovernmental organizations such as the CITES Secretariat (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), the United States, Interpol, the United Nations Office on for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), The World Bank, Global Tiger Initiative, and the World Customs Organization (WCO). The network is building partnerships with China, South Asia, the European Community, Africa (through the Lusaka Agreement Task Force) Australia and New Zealand.
History and background In October 2004, ASEAN Ministers expressed their support for cooperation to improve CITES implementation. In May 2005, the ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora (2005–2010) was developed. The plan, which includes the ASEAN-WEN, was adopted the following August in Phnom Penh during the meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry (ASOF).
ASEAN-WEN is mentioned under Objective Two of the Action Plan to encourage networking among law enforcement authorities in ASEAN countries to counter the illegal trade in wild fauna and flora.
The ASEAN-WEN was established on 1 December 2005 in Bangkok.
The Law Enforcement Extension Office (LEEO) of the ASEAN WEN PCU was created in 2008 through an agreement with the Royal Thai Government, the ASEAN-WEN Support Program (2005–2010), the ASEAN Secretariat, and the US State Department. The LEEO is tasked with the support and coordination of operational law enforcement matters and transnational wildlife investigations. The LEEO is staffed by seconded officers from the Royal Thai Police, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and the Customs Department, and is housed at the Natural Resources and Environmental Crimes Suppression Division of the Royal Thai Police. The inaugural lead officer of the LEEO was Police Major General Surasit Sangkaphong (2008–2009), formally appointed by the Royal Thai Police to lead the LEEO. In 2010, the ASEAN-WEN Support Program, the Malaysian Government (then acting as the Country Chair of ASEAN-WEN), and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation approved of the creation of the post of Chief Technical Advisor for Law Enforcement to formally lead the LEEO. From 2010 to 2012, Police General Dr. Chanvut Vajrabukka (Ret.), former Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, and Immigration Commissioner of Thailand held the position of LEEO Chief Technical Advisor. From 2013–Present, Honorable Police Captain Dr. Vatanarak Amnucksoradej, former INTERPOL Thailand in charge of environmental crime issue, former Advisor to Minister of Science and Technology, Elected Member of Parliament - Bangkok District 10 and Advisor on many Standing Committees, House of Representative, Kingdom of Thailand. He is currently hold the position as Director of ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network Law Enforcement Extension Office. Dr.Vatanarak received his bachelor, master and doctor degree with Summa Cum Laude (first class honor) from prestige universities in USA. Currently, the ASEAN-WEN LEEO is stationary at Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division, Royal Thai Police (RTP).
Under the PCU, with the overall guidance from ASEAN-WEN/ASEAN Member States, the LEEO leads ASEAN-WEN PCU's partnership building with INTERPOL, the World Customs Organization (WCO), ASEANAPOL and other enforcement agencies. On September 29, 2011, Thailand's Commissioner General of Police formally approved linking the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) Law Enforcement Extension Office (LEEO) with the Royal Thai Police - Transnational Crime Coordination Center's (TNCCC). This decision allows the LEEO to begin providing Thailand's Wildlife Enforcement Network with new technical resources, information and assistance in its fight against nature crime. It also clears the way for it to eventually serve the same function at the regional level, serving as ASEAN-WEN's regional wildlife crime suppression and intelligence arm. Currently, ASEAN-WEN and the LEEO is supported by the USAID funded Asia's Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking (ARREST) Program, together with in-kind and financial support from the Royal Thai Government.
Need Wildlife smugglers are often part of organized criminal syndicates, taking advantage of Asia's transport infrastructure to traffic wildlife within and out of the region. Environmental agencies and NGOs do not possess the authority or the capacity to stop organized crime. ASEAN-WEN facilitates a multi-agency and cross-border response, including police, customs and the judiciary. The US Secretary of State highlighted the urgency of strengthening partnerships with networks like ASEAN-WEN hoping to building similar networks in South Asia and Central America.Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, World Environment Day Speech, Washington, DC, June 5, 2010
National and regional structure ASEAN-WEN involves CITES authorities, customs, police, prosecutors, specialized governmental wildlife-law enforcement organizations and other relevant national law enforcement agencies from across the ASEAN region.
ASEAN-WEN operates on national and regional levels. Each country is expected to establish a national inter-agency task force of police, customs, and environmental officers. The Kingdom of Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia have established national task forces. Lao PDR and Viet Nam are preparing to establish their national task forces very soon. Law enforcement officers in national task forces receive training on investigations, species identification and wildlife laws.
Secretariat The Secretariat of the ASEAN-WEN was the ASEAN-WEN Program Coordination Unit (PCU), located in Bangkok, Thailand. The secretariat is now located in Jakarta, Indonesia.
ARREST Program (Asia’s Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking) Together with the ASEAN Member States, ASEAN-WEN is supported by the ARREST Program (Asia's Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking): ARREST is a five-year program funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by FREELAND Foundation. The program is fighting the trafficking of illegal wildlife in Asia in three ways: reducing consumer demand; strengthening law enforcement; and strengthening regional cooperation and anti-trafficking networks. ARREST unites the efforts of the member states of ASEAN, China and South Asia, NGOs, and private sector organizations.
Areas of involvement and training U.S-Government sponsored ASEAN-WEN training courses and workshops are taking place across Southeast Asia. On-the-job training delivered by law enforcement experts assisting ASEAN-WEN is imparting knowledge and support to these authorities.
Illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia Trade in endangered species in Southeast Asia has devastating impacts on the region's biodiversity, disturbing ecological balances and undermining environmental services. This, in turn impacts the people of Southeast Asia and their well-being. The multibillion-dollar illegal wildlife trade supplies one of the world's largest black markets, surpassed only by illicit commerce in arms and drugs. The illicit harvesting of natural resources has been defined as a form of transnational organized environmental crime driving species to extinction by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in their report “The Globalization of Organized Crime- A Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment"The Globalization of Organized Crime- A Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment”, Chapter 7, UNODC Publication, June 2010
A World Bank report from 2008 states that the Southeast Asian region functions as a key supplier for global demand for protected wildlife, as well as a consumer and a global transit point - three roles that make the region a crucial area to address in the global fight against illicit trade. What's Driving the Illegal Wildlife Trade?, TRAFFIC Report 2008
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that Southeast Asian countries rank among the highest in the world for density of endangered species. Nine countries in the world's top 20-list of countries with the most endangered mammal species are in Southeast Asia.Wildlife In A Challenging World- An Analysis of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN Report 2010
Biodiversity, including endemic species of flora and fauna, is part of the ecological heritage of the region. Despite laws and treaties, this resource is being sold off illegally to consumers in East Asia, in Europe and in North America at an unsustainable rate.Sha, Anup. Loss of Biodiversity and Extinction, Last Updated 6 June 2010, Global Issues
However, law enforcement efforts to protect Southeast Asia's endangered species are increasing. In 2008, 67 major and model law enforcement actions by Southeast Asian authorities were reported to the network. More than 31,590 live animals and 31,684 dead animals, animal parts and derivatives were recovered, which adds up to over 53 tons of seized wildlife. ASEAN-WEN Action Update, Summary of the Year 2008
In 2009, there were 140 reported major and model law enforcement actions by Southeast Asian authorities. More than 26,261 live animals were rescued from illegal trade along with almost 10,000 deceased animals, animal parts and derivates (over 268 tons of seized wildlife) during these interdictions. According to estimates by wildlife authorities and non-governmental organizations, this confiscated contraband was worth more than US$40 million on the black market. In addition, there were 156 related arrests and 45 convictions across seven countries during 2009. ASEAN-WEN Action Update, Summary for the Year 2009
Drivers of illegal wildlife trade The drivers of the illegal wildlife trade include demand for bones, scales and other ingredients for traditional medicines; demand for live animals as pets and zoo exhibits; demand for their parts and bodies as collectors’ trophies; decorations and luxury items; demand for wild meat and exotic dishes from restaurants, etc. In Southeast Asia, wealth seems to be a stronger driver for illegal wildlife trade than poverty.