The chief of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Monday emphasized the need for a strong response to wildlife and forest crime, noting the growing threat posed to global development. "Wildlife crime undermines development and stability, and destroys ecosystems and legitimate livelihoods," UNODC Director Yury Fedotov said in his opening remarks at the 23rd session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. "Given the increasing importance of wildlife and forest crime, and the pressing requests from member states, UNODC intends to launch a vigorous and dedicated research and analysis effort on this issue," Fedotov said. Fedotov's speech referred to many of UNODC's mandates, including crime and development, the treatment of prisoners, violence against children, the rule of law, human trafficking, and the smuggling of migrants. "Underpinning all of these efforts, whether to combat wildlife crime or to stop trafficking and money laundering, is international cooperation in criminal matters," Fedotov said.
