The Government of Congo will incinerate nearly five tons of seized ivory, fuelled by seized timber, in a strong show of Africa’s opposition to wildlife crime.

The ceremony will precede the announcement, in Brazzaville, of the first pan-African strategy to combat the illicit trade in flora and fauna. The document and a draft action plan will be taken to the African Union Summit to be held in Durban in June.

Wildlife trafficking devastates biodiversity and ecosystems, threatening the supply of food and freshwater and eroding livelihoods for millions of people in Africa. It also creates insecurity, fuelling conflicts and corruption, depriving countries of their assets, weakening the rule of law and dividing societies. Poaching and trafficking pose a direct threat to sustainable development efforts in Africa and elsewhere.

What:     International Conference on the Illegal Exploitation and Illegal Trade in Wild Flora and Fauna in Africa

When:        29 April, 9AM GMT

Where:     Palais des Congrès, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Who:    His Excellency Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, His Excellency Henri Djambo, Minister of Forest Economy and Sustainable Development, Anthony Ohemeng-Boamah, UN Resident Coordinator, Republic of Congo, Nik Sekhran, Director/ Chief of Profession -Sustainable Development, UNDP,         Paul Harrison, Global Advisor on Wildlife & Forestry Enforcement, UNDP-GEF