Delivered By: Colonel Saeed Al Dhaheri, Minister Plenipotentiary and Police Advisor
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honor to address this High-Level Discussion on combating illicit wildlife trafficking and other crimes affecting the environment.
Environmental crime is no longer an environmental problem alone. It is a transnational threat. It strips away biodiversity, finances organized crime and corruption, accelerates climate change, and erodes the security and livelihoods of communities far from where the crime is committed.
Meeting this challenge demands sustained cooperation, stronger capabilities, and collective resolve.
Excellencies,
In recognition of this challenge, the Ministry of Interior of the UAE, together with UNODC, launched the International Initiative on Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC) in 2023. It rests on three commitments: to deepen collaboration through joint operations, to raise awareness of law enforcement’s role, and to strengthen agencies’ capabilities worldwide against offenses that bear most directly on the environment. Such offenses are not isolated harms; they drive global warming, food and water insecurity, displacement, and instability.
That commitment has translated into action on three fronts that can exemplify and guide the prevention and combating of illicit trafficking.
First, leveraging existing global forums and accelerating cooperation. The UAE has built a global platform — more than 50 law enforcement agencies as well as international and regional policing organizations, the latter from every region. Through the United Nations Climate Change Conference and Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28 and COP29), and other forums, we have positioned law enforcement within the global climate agenda. Moreover, I2LEC has conducted joint multinational operations across the Amazon and Congo Basins, bringing together agencies from the UAE, and countries from South America, Africa, and the Middle East in a single, coordinated effort.
Second, emphasizing the importance of capacity building. Between 2024 and 2026, I2LEC delivered specialized trainingss on environmental crime investigation, prosecution, and deforestation-related offenses, reaching more than 4,300 participants from 143 countries.
Third, harnessing capacity with innovation. Through the Environmental Crime Observatory and the Environmental Crimes Heatmap, we are building data-driven tools to track trends and anticipate threats.
Excellencies,
The results speak plainly: more than 177 arrests; over 14,300 cubic meters of illegally harvested timber and more than 690 tons of illegally extracted minerals seized; over 2,100 live animals rescued; major seizures of ivory, pangolin scales, gold, fuel, and criminal equipment; and the disruption of criminal networks across multiple jurisdictions.
The combined value of seizures through these operations has exceeded 164 million US dollars.
These results are just the beginning. This year, I2LEC will expand further, with new operations in South America and Asia.
Excellencies,
Environmental crime crosses every border it encounters. Our response must be willing to follow suit. I reaffirm that I2LEC remains open to every country, organization, regional mechanism, and initiative that share our commitment to protecting the environment through effective law enforcement and cooperation under international law. The UAE stands ready to support such cooperation, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and joint operations that deliver results where they matter most on the ground.
Together, through partnership and shared resolve, we can turn back environmental crime and help secure a safer, more sustainable future for all.
I thank you.