UNODC Brazil promotes training to strengthen the fight against transnational environmental crimes related to illegal timber trade

Speakers at the training promoted by UNODC Brazil

Brasília, 2 September 2024 - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Brazil, through the Forest Crimes and Illegal Timber Trade Programme (LEAP), held training sessions from 23 to 27 August in the state of Amazonas, aimed at Brazilian and foreign institutions to enhance technical capacities for detecting, inspecting, and identifying illegal timber shipments on maritime and river routes.

On 23 and 27 August, respectively, at the Management and Operational Center of the Amazon Protection System (Censipam) and at the National Institute for Amazon Research (INPA), a 10-hour course on wood identification techniques was offered in partnership with the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA).

Throughout the two days of theoretical and practical training, participants improved their abilities to identify the genus and species of Amazonian wood, including the analysis of data and documents to identify suspicious shipments. At the end of the course, participants evaluated the activities carried out and contributed to defining the next steps for the LEAP programme, highlighting the need for further mentorship and training.

Representatives from Ibama, Censipam, INPA, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the Environmental Protection Institute of Amazonas (IPAAM), the Municipal Secretary of the Environment of Manaus (AM), and the Civil and Military Police of Amazonas participated in the training.

Participant of the training promoted by UNODC
A training on wood identification techniques was also offered during the Third International Exchange on Riverine Operations and Boat Piloting, promoted by the UNODC Brazil Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) in partnership with the Federal Police. This event took place from 13 to 26 August at the Management and Operational Center of the Amazon Protection System (Censipam).
On 25 August, a morning theoretical-practical class was held in the forest surrounding the Environmental Police Integration and Improvement Center (CIAPA), followed by an afternoon theoretical session on forest crimes and wood identification techniques with group exercises. The session was attended by 25 officials, including students and instructors from Brazil, Colombia, Mozambique, and Peru.
 
Participants of the training
LEAP
The Forest Crimes and Illegal Timber Trade Programme, currently in its second phase, seeks to share knowledge and build global networks to combat illegal deforestation and related crimes, to assist member states in law enforcement in key countries in Latin America and Southeast Asia. In Brazil, six ports are currently covered by the program's activities: Porto Velho, Manaus, Belém, Paranaguá, Itajaí, and Santos.
LEAP is the result of a partnership between the Container Control Programme (CCP) and the UNODC Global Money Laundering Programme (GPML), supported by the Norway International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI).