Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade: Regional Collaboration in the Caucasus

On February 17–18, a two-day workshop titled "Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade in the Caucasus" was held in Yerevan, bringing together key officials from Armenia and Georgia alongside international experts. The event focused on strengthening regional capacities to prevent the illicit trafficking of wild fauna and flora.

The workshop facilitated active professional discussions across several critical areas:

Legislative Frameworks and Challenges: Representatives from Armenia and Georgia presented their respective national regulations and discussed current obstacles in tackling illegal wildlife trade.

Digitalization and Oversight: Participants explored the role of digital environmental management platforms and the "Single Window" system in enhancing transparency and efficiency in regulatory processes.

Global and Regional Dynamics: Experts from TRAFFIC and Fauna & Flora shared insights into global wildlife trade threats and the specific dynamics affecting the Caucasus region.

The event also featured a strong practical component: participants engaged in hands-on exercises focused on CITES procedures and species identification, while working groups developed mechanisms for strengthening cross-border cooperation and improving illegal trade detection rates. Special emphasis was placed on the role of canine services and the experience of Georgian customs authorities in wildlife protection.

The workshop was co-organized by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) and Fauna & Flora, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia and the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body. It reflects FPWC's broader commitment to building the regional enforcement capacity and policy frameworks that will be essential as Armenia prepares to host the UN CBD COP17 in Yerevan later this year.