TRAFFIC, IUCN and WWF renew partnership for action on wildlife trade
Gland, Switzerland, 17th August 2018—TRAFFIC, IUCN and WWF this week signed a new partnership agreement for work in strategic alliance on wildlife trade issues.
The agreement will help maximise the collective impact of TRAFFIC and its founding partners, WWF and IUCN, in addressing critical conservation challenges and opportunities related to trade in wild animals and plants and was developed following the conclusion of new governance arrangements for TRAFFIC, announced in September 2017.[1]
“TRAFFIC's foundation and its many achievements over the past four decades benefitted from strong support and collaboration with WWF and IUCN,” said Steven Broad, TRAFFIC’s Executive Director. “This new partnership agreement provides a solid platform for a new phase of collaboration between our three organisations, with each playing to its strengths in addressing critical wildlife trade issues.”
During an event held in Gland, Switzerland, on Thursday 16th August, Inger Andersen, Director General of IUCN, Maria Boulos, Director Network Governance for WWF, Mark Halle, Chair of the TRAFFIC Board and Steven Broad, Executive Director of TRAFFIC signed the new agreement that sets out the expectations for this new phase in the partnership between the three organisations.
Inger Andersen, Director General of IUCN said: “IUCN is proud to have played a critical role in the creation and nurturing of TRAFFIC. With a strong track record already in place and together with our colleagues at WWF, we look forward to a new era in our mutual collaboration.”
Marco Lambertini, Director-General of WWF International said: “To halt the rampant illegal trade that is driving wildlife decline to unprecedented levels, we need powerful coalitions. WWF, IUCN and TRAFFIC have enjoyed an enduring and productive partnership and we keenly anticipate further success in turning our unique strengths and collective expertise into real conservation impact on the ground.”
The Agreement signed today formally establishes the principles and protocols aimed to support and maximise the impact of collaboration between each of the three organisations to ensure that each plays to its strengths.
Mark Halle, Chair of the Board governing TRAFFIC said: “This partnership is stronger than the sum of its parts: working alongside IUCN and WWF, I know that their strengths will help boost the already significant impact TRAFFIC is having on the conservation world.”
Notes:
1. Established in 1976 by IUCN and WWF to respond to the growing threats posed by unsustainable and illegal wildlife trade, TRAFFIC plays a leading role as a global wildlife trade specialist. Its team of staff around the world carry out research, investigations and analysis to compile the evidence needed to catalyse action by governments, businesses and individuals, in collaboration with a wide range of partners, to ensure that wildlife trade is not a threat to the conservation of nature.
About IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together. For more information visit: iucn.org
WWF
WWF is an independent conservation organization, with over 30 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit www.panda.org/news for the latest news and media resources and follow us on Twitter @WWF_media.
About TRAFFIC
TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organisation working to ensure that trade in wild species is legal and sustainable, for the benefit of the planet and people.
