As a hotspot of biodiversity, Asia and the Pacific is being threatened by criminal activities. Forests are shrinking faster in south-east Asia than anywhere else in the world with a loss of 376,000 km² from 1990 to 2020 - equivalent to the whole surface of Japan. Southeast Asian countries are source, transit and destination markets for illegal wildlife trade. Wildlife and forest crime pose a serious risk to biodiversity and have contributed to the near extinction of rare mammals, birds and reptiles. Tackling the illegal wildlife trade through a One Health approach is crucial to preserve biodiversity while preventing the transmission of diseases from wildlife to humans.

 

With a 171% increase of plastic waste imports between 2016 and 2018, ASEAN is the main receiving region in the world. The management of imported waste has become an opportunity for the infiltration of organized crime. UNODC addresses the illegal flow of waste as a way to support circular economies while promoting the rule of law.

 

The UNODC Environment Team initiated activities in Southeast Asia in 2010 and more recently expanded its technical assistance to Member States in South Asia and the Pacific. Its work has also adapted to cover broader crimes that affect the environment including through its newly launched projects SAFE and Unwaste.