CAPE TOWN, Nov 6 (NNN-SANEWS) - The international community has taken forward the work of fighting against environmental crime from the margins to the centre of global cooperation due to the work that began under South Africa's Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency.

Last month, the Cape Town Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment was adopted, marking the first time that major economies recognised environmental crime as organised crime.

“The Cape Town Declaration was the turning point. It was the first time that G20 nations recognised crimes that affect the environment as organised crimes that demand a united response. The outcomes in Rio prove that multilateralism, when rooted intrust and cooperation, can deliver tangible results,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said on Wednesday.

The Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment calls for stronger global cooperation to combat illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, mining, waste trafficking and other transnational crimes that undermine environmental security, societies and economic integrity.

In a significant milestone this week, the Rio Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment was adopted in Brazil.

It builds directly on the Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment, led by South Africa and adopted by G20 nations, representing more than 85 percent of the global economy, last month.

The Rio Declaration was led by the Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife programme, with Brazil, South Africa, and other governments committing to stronger collective action against crimes that affect the environment.

“The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment congratulates the Government of Brazil, the Royal Foundation, and all international partners on the adoption of the Rio Declaration. South Africa remains committed to turning global ambition into lasting action for people and the planet.” - NNN- SA NEWS

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