Opening Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Eric G. John, Launch of “Wildlife Trafficking Stops Here” Campaign, Suvarnabhumi Airport
(As prepared for delivery)
Good morning, Minister Suwit, Mr. Serirat, Dr. Kraisak special guests, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen.
The world’s biodiversity is currently endangered by numerous man-made threats. These include the illegal trade of wildlife, which has become a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise. More than 30,000 species of wild plants and animals are on the international endangered list – many already on the brink of extinction.
Stopping illegal wildlife trade is a difficult task. Organized crime has moved into trafficking and the scale of the illegal trade is enormous. Thousands of wild animals are flowing through trafficking hotspots, such as airports, around the world every day. It will take partnerships, not just between governments and their agencies, but also with the private sector to confront illegal wildlife trade effectively.
The United States is pleased to be a partner with the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (or AOT), the Government of Thailand (including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Royal Thai Police, and the Customs Department), and local and international NGOs in launching “Wildlife Trafficking Stops Here” campaign at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
This unique and important drive aims to prevent illegal wildlife trafficking and is a critical extension of protection work now being conducted in this country and the region under the Thailand-led Wildlife Enforcement Network of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or “ASEAN-WEN.”
ASEAN-WEN, founded in 2005, is the world’s largest environmental law enforcement network. Thailand took the lead ASEAN-WEN by hosting its Secretariat. In addition, Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Royal Thai Police, and the Customs Department have formed a national task force to fight wildlife crime.
Because the United States shares Thailand’s goal of preventing trans-border crime, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other U.S. agencies have supported the development of ASEAN-WEN since its inception. This intergovernmental network is successfully linking environmental agencies, police, customs and members of the judiciary from all 10 ASEAN member countries to coordinate and share intelligence, conduct investigations, and train government officers – including those working in airports – to turn the tide on wildlife trafficking.
Through ASEAN-WEN, the U.S. Government is cooperating with the organizations FREELAND and TRAFFIC, as well as ASEAN and the Government of Thailand, to conduct training courses to teach techniques to reduce the poaching and trafficking of endangered species. Together, the United States and Thailand are key partners in the fight against global wildlife crime.
Immediately following today’s launch of this campaign at Suvarnabhumi Airport, 250 government officers and airport employees will undergo training to prevent illegal wildlife trafficking at this airport, making Suvarnabhumi an international environmental model for other airports to emulate.
In addition to the training sessions, AOT and the Thai Government are projecting anti-trafficking messages on TV monitors and posting placards throughout the airport. And they are redoubling their enforcement efforts with the vow that “wildlife trafficking stops here.” That is true leadership.
The U.S. Government supports Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited’s bold commitment to halt illegal wildlife trade through its partnership with Thailand's National ASEAN-WEN Task Force. We believe Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s “Wildlife Trafficking Stops Here” campaign is a model and will have a significant regional and global impact.
We also salute the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Royal Thai Police and Customs, as well as FREELAND and TRAFFIC for working together to launch this campaign. Thank you.