On February 29, 2024, the second regional consultation on ‘Exposing Elite Protection and Corruption in Environmental Crime in Southeast Asia and Oceania’ was hosted in Bangkok, Thailand, as part of the ECO-SOLVE project.
The consultation was introduced by Louise Taylor, Asia-Pacific Representative of the GI-TOC and officially opened by Andreas Roettger on behalf of the Delegation of the European Union in Thailand. After a brief introduction to ECO-SOLVE and environmental crimes and corruption in South East Asia and Oceania provided by Kristina Amerhauser from the GI-TOC. Speakers shared and discussed case studies, experiences and insights around: opportunities, techniques and approaches previously used for uncovering elite protection; dynamics in the wake of major exposés of corruption; and existing weaknesses at local, national and global level that allow elite protection of environmental crime to flourish in South East Asia and Oceania.
Nineteen participants, including journalists, academics, and environmental defenders, discussed challenges related to uncovering elite protection, the aftermath of corruption exposés, and systemic weaknesses in the regulatory framework. Key topics included the diminishing space for media and civil society, safety risks, a lack of public information, and inaccessible government data.
The participants emphasized the need for coordinated collaboration across stakeholders and borders, tracing illicit profits, and understanding the role of the international banking system. They also discussed the limitations of sanctions in Southeast Asia and the role of international organisations in holding corruption actors accountable.
Gratitude was expressed for the opportunity to exchange experiences, and insights gained informed the next stage of ECO-SOLVE’s implementation. Strategies for streamlining messages, building global campaigns, and targeting key audiences were identified. Language considerations were discussed, initiating conversations on collaborations with journalists in Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea.
The event served as a valuable platform for fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by elite protection and corruption in environmental crime in the region. As ECO-SOLVE progresses, the shared insights and collaborative efforts aim to drive meaningful change in the fight against environmental crime and corruption in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
