The United States and Norway are leading the way on collaborative efforts to stop activities that pose a direct threat to people and nature.
On September 21 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Monica Medina co-hosted the Nature Crime Roundtable with leaders from 11 countries.
Nature crimes like wildlife and timber trafficking threaten national security, fuel corruption, spread disease and drive species to the brink of extinction. Today, Assistant Secretary Medina joined @EspenBarthEide to preview the Nature Crime Alliance to combat these crimes. #UNGA pic.twitter.com/08yFapR6v7
— U.S. Department of State | Science Diplomacy USA (@SciDiplomacyUSA) September 21, 2022
Nature crimes — criminal forms of logging, mining, wildlife trade, land conversion and associated criminal activities, as well as crimes associated with fishing — are a threat to environmental and conservation efforts everywhere.
“Nature is but the first victim in this organized, international criminal chain of exploitation,” the United States and Norway said in a joint statement after the roundtable. “We look forward to working with those who joined us today as we further develop a new collaborative initiative — the Nature Crime Alliance.”
