The ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) was officially launched on 1 December 2005, as a regional inter-agency and inter-governmental initiative to counter the illegal cross-border trade in endangered flora and fauna.
The network is building partnerships with China, South Asia,[1] the European Community, Africa (through the Lusaka Agreement Task Force) Australia and New Zealand.
The plan, which includes the ASEAN-WEN, was adopted the following August in Phnom Penh during the meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry (ASOF).
ASEAN-WEN is mentioned under Objective Two of the Action Plan to encourage networking among law enforcement authorities in ASEAN countries to counter the illegal trade in wild fauna and flora.
), former Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, and Immigration Commissioner of Thailand held the position of LEEO Chief Technical Advisor.
Dr.Vatanarak received his bachelor, master and doctor degree with Summa Cum Laude (first class honor) from prestige universities in USA.
This decision allows the LEEO to begin providing Thailand's Wildlife Enforcement Network with new technical resources, information and assistance in its fight against nature crime.
ARREST unites the efforts of the member states of ASEAN, China and South Asia, NGOs, and private sector organizations.
Trade in endangered species in Southeast Asia has devastating impacts on the region's biodiversity, disturbing ecological balances and undermining environmental services.
The multibillion-dollar illegal wildlife trade supplies one of the world's largest black markets, surpassed only by illicit commerce in arms and drugs.
[7] The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that Southeast Asian countries rank among the highest in the world for density of endangered species.
Despite laws and treaties, this resource is being sold off illegally to consumers in East Asia, in Europe and in North America at an unsustainable rate.
[12] Amongst other reasons contributing to the exploitation of Southeast Asia's natural resources are the region's high biodiversity, porous borders, well-established trade routes and accessible transport links.
[13] Consumers with computer access can procure illicit wildlife products from an online marketplace, and poor awareness about the importance of conservation and impacts of over-exploitation has also contributed to the destruction of the region's fauna and flora.
Illegal wildlife trade also threatens sustainable development in rural and coastal communities, as it destroys those natural and biological resources upon which thousands of people around the globe depend for their livelihoods.
[20] The lack of health standards within the trade chains increase the transmission of diseases to people, who come into contact with trafficked live or deceased animals.
Profits from illegal wildlife trade, which now ranks among the most lucrative types of black market commerce, can support other forms of criminal activity.
The launch of the network has created a framework for continued long-term cooperation to stop illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia.