UN urges for more efforts to battle wildlife trafficking in Vietnam

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Wednesday called on Vietnam to do more to end wildlife trafficking.

Vietnam has taken steps to reinforce its commitment to fighting wildlife crime, including a recent increase in reported seizures of illegal wildlife products, UNODC said at a press conference held in here on Wednesday on the occasion of World Environment Day which falls on June 5 annually.

During 2010-2015 period, Vietnam Customs seized approximately 55,200 kg of pangolins, 18,000 kg of ivory, and more than 235 kg of rhino horn from illegal shipments, said a press release by UNODC Vietnam on Wednesday.

However, "while Vietnam has enacted a range of efforts to improve legislation, strengthen law enforcement, and reduce consumer demand, there is still more that needs to be done," assessed the UNODC, adding that so far very few cases of wildlife crime have been successfully prosecuted in Vietnam's courts, due to inadequate preparation and presentation of evidence, legal loopholes, and a weak rule of law among others.

Illegal wildlife poaching, trafficking, trade and consumption has become a multi--billion dollar business globally, with organized criminal activities driving many species to the brink of extinction, and causing unprecedented destruction of natural resources, said the UN agency.

Earlier in 2015, Vietnamese parliament adopted a new Penal Code with strengthened provisions and increased penalties for wildlife crime.

In November 2016, Vietnam will host the third international Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade, which will be a critical event to galvanize the international community to take stronger action against wildlife crime.

(APD)