The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) will participate in the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), taking place in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November 2024.

Drawing on its global operations and networks, GI-TOC will present its latest research, analysis, and recommendations focused on the intersection of organized crime and biodiversity loss. We will work alongside governments, civil society, and international organizations to deliver a comprehensive program of side events aimed at enhancing cooperation to combat environmental crimes and build resilience to organized crime.

Key engagements include:

• Innovative Strategies for Prevention and Effective Coordination in Combating Crimes that Affect the Environment (22 October 2024), co-organized with Colombia and supported by UNODC, INTERPOL, and other partners. This event will focus on financial intelligence and international cooperation to address crimes such as illegal wildlife trafficking, which threaten biodiversity and fuel organized crime.
• Building Ecosystem and Social Resilience as a Strategy for Environmental Crime Prevention (26 October 2024), co-hosted with CGIAR, exploring the critical role of social-ecological resilience in combating the multi-billion-dollar illicit economies that drive environmental degradation, particularly in the Amazon.

GI-TOC will also collaborate with the Cali Mayor’s Office for the launch of the Cities United for Biodiversity Initiative, a coalition against illegal economies that affect the environment, bringing together regional mayors and stakeholders for dialogue and action.

Through our participation at COP16, GI-TOC will emphasize the important links between organized crime and biodiversity, advocating for solutions led by civil society to safeguard our ecosystems and species from harm.