New Analysis Shows Scale of International Commitment to Tackle Illegal Wildlife Trade: Over $1.3 Billion Since 2010

HANOI, November 17, 2016 – The Global Wildlife Program has released the first-ever review of international donor funding for combatting illegal wildlife trade in Africa and Asia, which shows that over $1.3 billion was committed by 24 international donors since 2010, or approximately $190 million per year.

While there is growing momentum from the international community to combat wildlife crime, reliable information on donor funding has been lacking. The Analysis of International Funding to Tackle Illegal Wildlife Trade fills this gap by showing the scale of funding by donors and the depth and breadth of activities to tackle the crisis.

“Wildlife crime robs countries of their natural assets and undermines sustainable and inclusive development,” said Laura Tuck, Vice President for Sustainable Development at the World Bank. "If we're to tackle this effectively we need strong coordination of donor efforts and financing."

Key findings of the report include:

• A total of $1.3 billion was committed by 24 international donors between 2010 and June 2016, funding 1,105 projects in 60 different countries and various regional and global projects.
• The top five donors were the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Germany, the United States, the European Commission, and the World Bank Group, who together contributed $1.1 billion of the total funding (86%).
• Sixty-three percent of the funds went toward efforts in Africa ($833 million), 29% to Asia ($381 million), 6% to global programs and initiatives ($81 million), and 2% to projects covering both Africa and Asia ($35 million).
• The top five recipient countries were Tanzania (8%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (5%), Mozambique (5%), Gabon (3%), and Bangladesh (3%).
• Forty-six percent of the funding supported protected area management, while 19% went to law enforcement including intelligence-led operations and transnational coordination, 15% for sustainable use and alternative livelihoods, 8% for policy and legislation, 6% for research and assessment, and 6% for communication and awareness raising.  
  

“Poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking are reaching unprecedented levels and while many efforts are underway to combat the problem, reliable information on donor funding has been lacking. The analysis fills an important gap in our understanding of the collective response. It will not only provide a better understanding and coordination of the contributions of the international community, it should ultimately assist those on the ground protecting the wildlife and the livelihoods of local communities,” said Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson for the GEF.

Due to the cross-border and multi-dimensional nature of illegal wildlife trade, the development community must partner with stakeholders from multiple sectors and countries to reduce poaching, trafficking, and the demand for wildlife and wildlife products.

“We strongly believe that the findings and recommendations of this report will make a vital contribution to CITES Parties—be they donors, beneficiaries, or from range, transit, or destination states—in better connecting their efforts along the entire illicit trade chain to combat these serious and highly destructive crimes,” said John E. Scanlon, CITES Secretary-General.

The report was released ahead of the Hanoi Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade, hosted by the Government of Vietnam November 17-18, 2016, where global leaders will discuss the best way forward to eradicate illegal wildlife trade. The need to address the lack of donor coordination was identified at previous summits in London and Kasane, Botswana.

According to Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, “The Government of Vietnam has been making growing and visible efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade and reduce consumer demand for wildlife products. The World Bank strongly supports Vietnam in its wildlife protection agenda to ensure that future generations experience wildlife not just in books or movies but in their natural habitats.”

About the GWP

Launched in 2015, the Global Wildlife Program is a $131 million grant program funded by the Global Environment Facility and led by the World Bank Group to address the wildlife crisis across 19 countries in Asia and Africa by serving as a platform for knowledge exchange and on-the-ground coordination.

The Global Wildlife Program deploys resources along the entire illegal wildlife trade supply chain to reduce poaching through the engagement of local communities and by conserving and protecting wildlife natural habitats; control wildlife crime and reducing trafficking through effective law enforcement; and reduce demand for illegal wildlife by raising awareness and changing behavior.

About the GEF

The Global Environment Facility, established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, is a catalyst for action on the environment—and much more. Through its strategic investments, the GEF works with partners to tackle the planet’s biggest environmental issues.  www.thegef.org