On 3 October 2024, ECO-SOLVE, an EU-funded initiative under the Global Illicit Flows Programme (GIFP), marked a major milestone with the launch of the Global Monitoring System (GMS) during the event New Frontiers in the Fight Against Environmental and Wildlife Crimes. Implemented by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), the GMS represents a critical tool in addressing environmental and wildlife crime, particularly the growing threat of illegal wildlife trade (IWT) facilitated by digital platforms.
The event set a new attendance record, with over 500 live-streaming attendees and 200 additional views of the replay on GI-TOC’s YouTube channel, surpassing the 350 attendees recorded during the launch of the Global Organized Crime Index in September 2023. This significant engagement reflects increasing global awareness of the urgent need to combat environmental crimes and their connections to organised crime and corruption.
The GMS, launched through ECO-SOLVE’s work, focuses on tracking trends in IWT and providing actionable insights for enforcement and policymaking. Discussions at the event emphasised the importance of enhanced legislation, strengthened monitoring frameworks, and international cooperation to disrupt criminal networks exploiting natural resources. By supporting initiatives like the GMS, ECO-SOLVE continues to drive innovation and collaboration, ensuring that environmental crimes are met with robust and coordinated global responses.