WCO Unveils Tool to Fight Cultural Heritage Trafficking

WCO Unveils Tool to Fight Cultural Heritage Trafficking

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has released a training manual on preventing the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage. This manual aims to enhance the expertise and skills of frontline customs officers, strengthening their role in protecting cultural heritage. The tool's publication contributes to improved global cultural heritage protection and fosters international cooperation among customs administrations. It provides practical guidance and resources to help customs officers identify, detect, and seize illegally traded cultural artifacts, ultimately combating the devastating impact of cultural heritage crime.

INAMA Initiative Expands Antiwildlife Trafficking in Africa Asia

INAMA Initiative Expands Antiwildlife Trafficking in Africa Asia

The INAMA project supports customs authorities in nine African and Asian countries, enhancing their capacity to combat illegal wildlife trade through expert support missions. These missions focus on training, legislation, risk management, and action plans. The project promotes international cooperation, improves enforcement capabilities, and protects biodiversity, aiming to build a strong defense against ecological threats. By strengthening customs controls and fostering collaboration, INAMA contributes to the global effort to conserve endangered species and maintain ecological balance.

Tokyo Conference Strengthens Global Wildlife Protection

Tokyo Conference Strengthens Global Wildlife Protection

The 2014 Tokyo World Wildlife Conference focused on combating illegal wildlife trade, emphasizing the role of customs, evidence-based decision-making, and data empowerment. The conference promoted international collaboration, particularly between Africa and Asia, aiming to enhance global wildlife protection efforts and build a future of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. It highlighted the importance of strengthened customs enforcement and the use of data to inform effective conservation strategies.

WCO Trains Customs Officials to Fight Cultural Heritage Trafficking

WCO Trains Customs Officials to Fight Cultural Heritage Trafficking

The World Customs Organization (WCO) trained Customs officers from the Middle East and North Africa in Beirut to enhance their capacity to combat cultural property smuggling. The training covered key areas including identification of smuggled artifacts, international cooperation, relevant legal frameworks, and practical enforcement techniques. The aim was to equip officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively identify, seize, and prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage items, thereby contributing to the protection of cultural heritage in the region.

New HS 2028 Codes Target Global Plastic Waste Trafficking

New HS 2028 Codes Target Global Plastic Waste Trafficking

HS 2028 revises customs codes to more accurately identify and classify plastic waste, especially hazardous waste, thereby strengthening the implementation of the Basel Convention. This new coding system aims to improve customs regulatory efficiency, standardize corporate compliance, and ultimately curb the illegal transboundary movement of plastic waste, protecting the global environment. The revised codes facilitate better tracking and control of plastic waste shipments, ensuring environmentally sound management and preventing illegal dumping in developing countries.

Trail Cameras Expand Wildlife Research Beyond Hunting

Trail Cameras Expand Wildlife Research Beyond Hunting

Hunting cameras have evolved beyond traditional hunting, becoming vital tools for wildlife research, environmental protection, and agricultural monitoring. They operate based on motion-triggered activation, rapid response, and image storage. Lens design emphasizes high sensitivity, fast focusing, and environmental adaptability. Large memory capacity ensures extended monitoring periods, providing strong support for scientific research and environmental conservation efforts. These cameras offer valuable data for understanding animal behavior, population dynamics, and ecosystem health, contributing significantly to informed conservation strategies.

Kenyas Safarilink Aviation Enhances Wildlife Airspace Safety

Kenyas Safarilink Aviation Enhances Wildlife Airspace Safety

This article highlights the safety assurance system of Safarilink Aviation Limited in Kenya. The airline successfully passed the IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) audit, with registration valid until 2026. This demonstrates the airline's commitment to meeting international safety standards in its operations, ensuring reliable and safe air travel for its passengers. The ISSA certification underscores Safarilink's dedication to providing a secure and dependable flying experience.

01/27/2026 Airlines
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West and Central Africa Strengthen Customs to Fight Art Trafficking

West and Central Africa Strengthen Customs to Fight Art Trafficking

Under the initiative of the World Customs Organization, West and Central African Customs administrations have jointly developed an action plan to strengthen cultural heritage protection and combat illicit trafficking. The plan encompasses key areas such as raising awareness, enhancing inter-agency cooperation, and conducting practical training. It emphasizes the importance of international collaboration to build a robust barrier against the illegal trade in cultural artifacts and promote the preservation of cultural heritage across the region.

China Tightens Wildlife Trade Rules to Boost Conservation

China Tightens Wildlife Trade Rules to Boost Conservation

The Endangered Species Import and Export Management Office of the People's Republic of China, in conjunction with the General Administration of Customs, has issued an announcement updating the 'Import and Export Commodity Catalogue of Wild Fauna and Flora Species'. This aims to strengthen the supervision of wild fauna and flora import and export, ensuring international trade complies with relevant conventions. Enterprises and individuals are required to carefully review the latest catalogue, abide by laws and regulations, and jointly maintain biodiversity.

Uganda Boosts Wildlife Trade Enforcement with WCO Backing

Uganda Boosts Wildlife Trade Enforcement with WCO Backing

With the support of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Inama Project, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is actively enhancing its capacity to combat Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT). Through initiatives such as developing a CITES Enforcement Manual, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and raising public awareness, Uganda is poised to play a greater role in protecting endangered species and contributing significantly to global biodiversity conservation. The efforts focus on improving customs enforcement practices to effectively intercept and prevent the illegal trade of wildlife products.