Member countries of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) have adopted the “Kathmandu Declaration” to strengthen regional cooperation against illegal wildlife trade and related transnational organised crime.

Ministers and heads of delegations adopted the declaration by consensus on the final day of SAWEN’s First General Assembly in Kathmandu, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said in a statement on Friday.

The declaration reaffirmed the member countries’ commitment to strengthening cooperation in preventing, detecting and combating illegal wildlife trade, while upholding the objectives and principles of the regional network.

It warned that wildlife trafficking is becoming increasingly sophisticated and is linked to corruption, illicit financial flows, misuse of digital technologies and vulnerabilities along national borders.

The member countries agreed to place greater emphasis on intelligence-led and financial investigations, anti-money laundering measures, asset recovery, and effective prosecution of serious wildlife crimes, particularly those involving transnational organised criminal networks, the ministry said.

They also committed to strengthening information and intelligence sharing, coordinated operation by law enforcing agencies, and criminal justice cooperation.

The declaration stressed the need to improve the capacity and safety of rangers, customs officials, police, prosecutors and other frontline personnel.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said no country could effectively tackle wildlife crime alone as it was becoming increasingly organised, transboundary, and technology-driven.

He said law enforcement responses must also go beyond borders and be coordinated, adding that the cooperation, mutual trust and shared commitment demonstrated during the assembly had created an important foundation for future regional initiatives.

SAWEN also announced that Jan 30 would be observed annually as “SAWEN Day”.

The declaration further emphasised stronger bilateral and regional cooperation against transboundary wildlife crime and expanding partnerships with international and regional conventions, organisations and development partners.