Launching of the Global Network of Prosecutors and General Attorneys

During the 9th International Conference on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, British Columbia, Canada, 20-24 June 2011, the IUCN launched  the Global Network of Prosecutors and General Attorneys.  The Network is a clear outcome of the workplan developed by the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law Specialist Group for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (ECE), which is based on the principle that environmental compliance and enforcement is a collective effort, both nationally and internationally.  This initiative is being carried out in cooperation with the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE) and will provide capacity building and other inputs to the United Nations Rio + 20 process scheduled for late spring of 2012 in Brazil. The Network will focus on flora and fauna, marine and terrestrial ecosystems and habitats.  Potential specific areas of focus include fish, forest and wetlands. The Network intends to enhance the knowledge of prosecutors and attorneys-general with regard to environmental compliance and enforcement issues, so as to enable them to successfully prosecute environmental crimes.