From snow leopards and red pandas in Bhutan, to orang-utans in Indonesia, to tigers and elephants in India, our world is richer and more whole – as well as more bounteous and productive - because these species are in it.

But this simple premise requires hard work and nimble policy to address those spaces where the interests of humans and those of wildlife seem to be at odds. 

Conflict between humans and wildlife arises most frequently when plentiful ecosystems abut dense human populations. 
 

The Asia-Pacific region is an area of both large human populations and key environmental significance: it boasts four of the world’s top ten megadiverse countries. 

There is a lot here to protect.
 

The region also represents the world’s largest stocks of (and demand for) wildlife products, including the illegal trade in flora and fauna.

In response, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is undertaking a number of initiatives to combat the illegal wildlife trade in the region. 
 

The Global Wildlife Program (GWP) is an international partnership on wildlife conservation and crime prevention for sustainable development which is coordinated by the World Bank. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the GWP is working to combat the illegal wildlife trade and promote sustainable, wildlife-based economies for resilient development. 

Of the 37 national projects, 12 are underway in countries across Asia, led by national government entities and supported by various UN agencies and partners. 

Of these 12 projects, UNDP coordinates eight projects in six countries: Afghanistan,  Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.  
 

In these countries, the projects are mitigating human-wildlife conflict, building sustainable livelihoods, while also reducing the wildlife trafficking thanks to improved collaboration. 

These success of these projects highlights the need to act urgently for nature and achieve a future where people and biodiversity thrive together.

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