On 3 March 2015, the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Gabon to the United Nations, along with the United Nations organization such as CITES, UNDP, UNEP, UNODC, and partners jointly organized the High-Level Stakeholder Dialogue on Illegal Wildlife Trade at the Central Park Zoo, New York, on the occasion of the second observance of World Wildlife Day. The theme of this year’s World Wildlife Day is “It’s time to get serious about wildlife crime”.

On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Chayapan Bamrungphong, Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d’Affaires of Thailand, delivered joint remarks which called for combating wildlife crime in a serious manner, particularly since many countries are suffering from the adverse economic, social and environmental impacts of wildlife crime with direct implications for livelihoods and sustainable development. Poaching and illicit wildlife trafficking can also undermine national and regional stability. In this regard, member states, both transit and destination states, and relevant UN organizations, have shared responsibilities to cooperate and combat wildlife crime.                               

Furthermore, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations sent his best wishes and message on the occasion of World Wildlife Day emphasizing that wildlife crime undermines the rule of law as well as national peace and security. It is a threat to our ecosystems and sustainable future. Mr. John Scalon, Secretary-General of CITES, in his remarks highlighted three human traits that are driving illegal trade: greed, ignorance, and indifference. However, positive actions are undertaken to address all three issues: more states are treating wildlife crime as a serious crime; targeted public awareness campaigns are underway in all regions; and politicians at the highest level and key opinion leaders are speaking out.

In addition, on 4 March 2015, H.E. Mr. Sam Kutesa, President of the 69^th session of the United Nations General Assembly, convened an informal meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate World Wildlife Day at the United Nations Headquarters. In this occasion, H.E. Mr. Chayapan Bamrungphong delivered remarks which highlighted the Royal Thai Government’s serious steps undertaken in the past six months to end international illegal ivory trade in Thailand. Thailand affirms the continued commitment to preserving and protecting elephants under the obligations of the CITES and making our contribution to resolving this international problem. Thailand submitted the revised National Ivory Action Plan (NIAP) as well as the progress report on the implementation of the revised NIAP to the CITES Secretariat in a timely manner. Thailand has made considerable progress in enacting the laws and regulations in order to effectively control and suppress African ivory smuggling by passing the Amended Wild Animals Reservation and Protection Act and the Ivory Act. Other concrete actions include the improvement of ivory registration system, supervision and law enforcement, awareness raising through public relations, and establishment of a mechanism to resolve illegal ivory trade issues.

The observance of this year’s World Wildlife Day in New York was a great success and Thailand was highly commended by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Secretary-General of CITES, the United Nations organizations, member states, and stakeholders for its role in proposing the Resolution on World Wildlife Day and organizing the celebration of World Wildlife Day in the past two years. Moreover, all relevant United Nations organizations coming together and working as one contributed to the success. As a result, raising awareness about the scope and severity of wildlife crime became more effective and reached out to the public, particularly through social media campaigns to more than 15 million people around the world.