On 28 September 2023, I had the honour of taking part in a webinar organised by the Association Tunisienne de la Vie Sauvage (ATVS) in partnership with the Direction Générale des Forêts (DGF). This webinar, dedicated to the fight against poaching and wildlife trafficking, brought together a number of players committed to preserving biodiversity in Tunisia.
A shared commitment to preserving biodiversity
Poaching and wildlife trafficking are major threats to global biodiversity, and to Tunisia’s natural heritage in particular. These illegal practices not only decimate vulnerable animal populations, they also upset the balance of ecosystems and threaten long-term conservation efforts.
During this webinar, I had the opportunity to share our recommendations for effectively combating these scourges. We stressed the importance of the commitment of all the players involved – from local authorities to civil society organisations and the general public. The fight against poaching requires a global and coordinated approach, in which each stakeholder plays an essential role.
A National Awareness Programme
The ATVS, in partnership with the DGF, has launched a national communication programme aimed at raising public awareness of the importance of preserving biodiversity. The programme focuses on reducing the threat posed by poaching. This is a key initiative to mitigate the impact of these illegal activities on Tunisia’s natural heritage.
The aim of the webinar was to bring together key players to discuss the issues and mechanisms for combating poaching. As a speaker, I was able to present the initiatives and strategies developed to combat this phenomenon, highlighting concrete and operational solutions that have proved their worth in other regions of the world.
Strengthening international cooperation
The webinar was also an opportunity to highlight the importance of international cooperation in the fight against poaching. Tunisia, located at the crossroads of Africa and Europe, plays a strategic role in preventing the trafficking of endangered wildlife species. This is why the experience of the French Committee of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has been called upon to enrich Tunisian efforts.
This trans-Mediterranean collaboration is crucial to implementing effective strategies against poaching on both sides of the Mediterranean. By sharing our knowledge and coordinating our actions, we can better protect endangered species and preserve the natural wealth of our regions.
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