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Private Sector Takes Center Stage in Combating Wildlife Trafficking at Hong Kong Roundtable

The fight against wildlife trafficking took center stage at a recent roundtable in Hong Kong, emphasizing the crucial role of the private sector in conservation efforts. WWF-Hong Kong organized the event, which featured keynotes from influential figures across various industries, including finance, logistics, airlines, shipping, hospitality, academia, and the NGO community.

The WWF’s Living Planet Report 2024 reveals a catastrophic 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations in just 50 years (1970-2020). This alarming statistic underscores the urgency for collective action as the planet approaches critical tipping points threatening biodiversity and human well-being.
 
“Given the scale and interconnected nature of the environmental crises and the urgency to act to stem the severe impacts on human communities, businesses, and even governance stability, multi-sectoral collaborations are now vital and, indeed, are imperative,” said Nicole Wong, CEO of WWF-Hong Kong. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework recognizes that significant measures toward biodiversity conservation are being taken across the globe, yet also stresses that much more needs to be done by all stakeholders to strengthen policy and develop sustainable approaches to conservation, including financing of such actions, engagement of the corporate and financial world in relevant niches, and engaging local communities as stewards.
 
Organized by WWF-Hong Kong, the Luncheon Roundtable on Advancing Partnerships and Private Sector Responses to Wildlife Trafficking promoted the 2024 theme of World Wildlife Day, "Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation." The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) organizes the annual celebration of World Wildlife Day, this year aiming to raise awareness of the latest applications of digital technologies in wildlife conservation and trade and the impact of digital interventions on ecosystems and communities around the world.
 
The roundtable followed a workshop hosted by KPMG in June 2024, reinforcing the ongoing commitment to engaging the private sector in countering wildlife trafficking. As this event underscores, the collaboration between businesses, governments, and NGOs is imperative in advancing efforts to protect our planet’s invaluable biodiversity for future generations.
 
Following the roundtable, participants toured Mai Po Nature Reserve, managed in partnership with WWF-Hong Kong. The Mai Po is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. At Mai Po, WWF also tests AI-powered innovations to restore and sustain essential ecosystem services.
 
Quotes:
 
Ivonne Higuero, CITES Secretary General
 
“CITES is embracing the digital age. As the authority regulating international trade in over 40,000 species of plants and animals, CITES requires that specimens have official trade documentation, such as permits and certificates. However, paper documentation can lead to fraud, cumbersome permitting processes, and limited access to trade information. These complications can result in forged documents through false information or theft. eCITES addresses these concerns by incorporating key electronic components: permit application and issuance, trade control for CITES-listed species, reporting of trade statistics, and exchange of permit information between countries. We are committed to leveraging technology to make these solutions affordable for all Parties. Key prerequisites for trade, such as Non-Detriment Findings and Legal Acquisition Findings, are vital for ensuring sustainable and legal international wildlife trade. By fostering private sector involvement and developing screening technologies in transportation and e-commerce, we aim to support the goals of CITES and related biodiversity conventions. Hong Kong plays a crucial role in supply chain integrity to counter wildlife trafficking. Public-private partnerships can also be a mechanism to ensure that sustainable and legal trade measures are met.”
 
Dan Bradshaw, Chairman of WWF-Hong Kong
 
“WWF is actively collaborating with the finance and transportation sectors to ensure the supply chain is not exploited. Hong Kong is implementing new measures to strengthen its status as an international financial, shipping, and trade center. Through proactive public-private sector outreach, we have contributed to creating AI-enabled law enforcement data analytical tools to combat Illegal Wildlife Trade within the financial and maritime supply chains. These tools track trends, awareness, and enforcement trajectories while supporting policy reforms in key wildlife destinations and consumer countries.”
 
Minal Jain, Assistant Manager, Sustainability, Cathay Pacific Airways
 
“We share our planet with millions of plant and animal species, and we recognize our moral obligation to prevent harmful practices like wildlife trafficking and exploitation. We are committed to not knowingly facilitating or tolerating the transportation of illegal wildlife products, specifically those that violate the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We have banned the carriage of all ivory and shark fin products since 2016 and hunting trophies since 2015 on our flights. Our commitment also includes training our employees, upgrading our technology, and sharing information and resources with other companies and organizations globally. In 2017, we launched our Sustainable Development Cargo Carriage Policy, which strictly prohibits the transportation of illegal and endangered species. This policy includes an embargo on ivory, shark fins, racing greyhounds, rhino horns, tiger pelts, and hunting trophies.”
 
Kevin Sun, Client Executive Partner, HK and Macau, Atos
 
“As a developer of AI and Machine Learning solutions, organizations in our sector are ready to co-operate with wildlife NGOs, CITES, and the Shipping and Logistics Sector to develop digital technologies that can assist with monitoring and isolating potential illegal wildlife trade activity and in general, solutions to issues relating to wildlife.

Mark Harper, Group Head of Sustainability, John Swire & Sons (HK) Ltd.
 
“Shipping remains a key component of the Swire Group’s businesses, and we recognise the responsibility we have in adhering to stringent regulations as we transport products around the world, this includes standing firm on our commitments to protecting nature as outlined in our policies, including our Responsible Cargo Carriage Policy’. ”

“In addition, by supporting the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures, we embrace an internationally recognised framework that helps us assess and manage nature-related risks and opportunities. This commitment allows us to prioritise actions that enhance our resilience and sustainability. We encourage other businesses to join us in integrating environmental considerations into their investments and operations so we can collectively drive meaningful and lasting positive change.”

 
© WWF Hong Kong
Private Sector Takes Center Stage in Combating Wildlife Trafficking at Hong Kong Roundtable
© WWF Hong Kong
Private Sector Takes Center Stage in Combating Wildlife Trafficking at Hong Kong Roundtable
© WWF Hong Kong
Private Sector Takes Center Stage in Combating Wildlife Trafficking at Hong Kong Roundtable

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