Wildlife trade on a global scale is increasing

	Tons of ivory and rhino horns destroyed
	Fish and seafood exports jump 4.3%
	Customs detected 21 cases of wild animal and plant smuggling.

The conference. Photo: NT.

This information was confirmed by Vice President, Mrs. Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh at the 3rd International Conference against illegal trade of specimens of wild plants and animals in Hanoi on 17th November 2016.

Vice President, Mrs. Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh said: “Understanding the importance of biodiversity and the role of wild plants and animals to humans, especially in the provision of biology services, regulation of water resources, health and economy, and natural disaster prevention, Vietnam must always pays attention to the protection of biodiversity and wild animals, especially endangered species.

Vietnam is a country soon to join the UN Convention on Biodiversity; Convention on the prevention of transnational crimes in the international trade of endangered animals and plants ... Specifically, Vietnam has focused on the establishment of specialized forces in accordance with the Law such as Forest Protection Force, Environmental Police, Customs, Border Guard Force and Market Management Force, etc.

This conference against the illegal trade of wild plants and animals was followed by the first Conference in London, UK (2014) and the second Conference in Kasane, Botwana (2015).

At this conference, there were the Vice President of Vietnam, Mr. Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, the Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, Mr. Sonxay Siphandon and some Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Heads of delegations from 46 countries, the European Union, 7 international organizations, more than 40 inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, with about 250 delegates and more than 50 domestic and foreign press agencies.

Under the program of the conference, the meeting will adopt the Hanoi Declaration on illegal trade of wild plants and animals with specific actions, including: Improving mechanisms, policies and laws of each country to ensure prosecution and handling of criminal violation for trading wild plants and animals; strengthening law enforcement, crime prevention of hunting and illegal trade in wild plants and animals through enhancing international coordination and cooperation, regional cooperation and inter-agency cooperation.

Focusing on preventing illegal trade through enforcement activities of eliminating the supply and demand of illegal wild animal products and wild plants; developing the economy with sustainable biology, thereby encouraging local communities to participate in the conservation and combating of illegal trade of wild plants and animals.

Tons of ivory and rhino horns destroyed VCN- On the afternoon of November 12, 2016, in Soc Son, Hanoi, the Ministry of Agriculture and ...

The UK is expected to hold the next conference in early 2018.