In recent years, Vietnam has seen a dramatic increase in the illegal trade and consumption of rare and endangered species. USAID/Vietnam’s flagship project to combat wildlife crime, USAID Saving Species, is working with the Vietnam Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Management Authority (MA) to reduce consumer demand for illegal wildlife, strengthen law enforcement, and improve the legal framework for wildlife crime. From October 1–5, USAID funded a Vietnam CITES MA delegation to attend the 70th CITES Standing Committee’s Meeting in Sochi, Russia and present Vietnam’s National Rhino Horn and Ivory Action Plan to international stakeholders. The plan identifies specific actions that Vietnam is taking to combat the illegal wildlife trade.  This includes eight actions that are directly supported by USAID, including developing laws and regulations to implement CITES requirements and Vietnam’s latest Penal Code, training law enforcement officers, and implementing communications campaigns to decrease consumer demand.

So What? Wildlife trafficking is a lucrative form of transnational crime that is decimating populations of elephants, rhinos, pangolins, and more.  This project was significant in that it put Vietnam on an international stage to speak about what they are doing to combat such crime.