The Tunisian National Guard organized the International Affairs Commission of the FIEP Association from 5 to 8 of February 2024. It was the second commission organized under the mandate of the current Italian Presidency of FIEP, assumed on October 25 2023 by the Commanding General of the Arma dei Carabinieri, Lt. Gen. Teo Luzi. The works of the Italian Presidency are carried out around the main topic of debate “Protecting biodiversity and ecosystems: how Gendarmery-Type Forces (GTF) fight environmental crimes”, while the sub-topic was “International environmental crimes and illegal trade of high-value commodities. How effective is international cooperation? What is the contribution of each individual Member State?.
Illicit trafficking in natural resources, and specifically in high-value commodities, is an international emergency in which the various FIEP Gendarmeries are engaged through both prevention and law enforcement activities. In the different geographical areas, Gendarmerie –type forces are requested to combat a criminal phenomenon that transcends national borders. Experts engaged in prevention and law enforcement are asked to describe specific tools to maximize the effectiveness of policing related to international programmes and networks.
It was underlined that after the presentations and discussions carried during the Experts’ Meeting the proposals that where agreed as Key Takeaways were:
- Environmental crime has no border. Illicit trafficking in natural resources, especially illegal trade of high-value commodities or illegal waste, is an international emergency in which the various FIEP Gendarmeries are engaged in prevention and law enforcement activities. In the different geographical areas, GTFs are called upon to face and eradicate this transnational phenomenon. A successful tackling environmental crimes programme requires the development of an international network which promotes effective cooperation between several stakeholders;
- Most environmental issues require, indeed, strong efforts beyond domestic borders. This strategy should include international cooperation efforts at different levels including bilateral and regional cooperation to properly address environmental crimes in a specific region providing a comprehensive and strategic partnership. It also includes cooperation with main international organizations designated to this end such as INTERPOL and EUROPOL.
- Illegal waste management, by way of example, which affect a variety of sectors improving human rights abuses, money laundering and corruption, has become one of the most lucrative activities among organised criminal issues worldwide which requires increasing efficient cooperation. Multilateral efforts could be the best way to support international connectivity and create a solid network which connects law enforcement agencies to identifying and raising awareness of good practices on law enforcement cooperation and transnational environmental crime (TEC) investigation.