LATF’S CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM DELIVERS A NEW INTERAGENCY WILDLIFE FORUM IN ZAMBIA

An interagency wildlife forum for investigators, prosecutors and magistrates has been established in Zambia. This was revealed at the Zambia Interagency Wildlife Law Enforcement Workshop held in Lusaka from 26th – 28th January 2010. The workshop was held under the two year (2008–2010) capacity building program of work for the Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF). It was jointly organized by LATF and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) while funding was provided by Interpol General Secretariat.

The workshop was organized as part of the capacity building program being implemented by the Task Force. It was designed to contribute to the efforts aimed at improving the collective capacity of law enforcement agencies in Zambia to fight wildlife crime. The workshop was attended by 27 representatives from the ZAWA, Zambia Police Service, Drug Enforcement Commission, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Department of Justice.

The newly established Interagency Wildlife Forum will provide a platform for wildlife investigators, prosecutors and magistrates to engage dialogue and social networks that are vital in the fight against wildlife crime. The forum will also generate opportunities for the various agencies to work together and to pool scarce financial and human resources. ZAWA was nominated to provide secretariat services to the forum while LATF is expected to provide technical support.

Group Photo of Participants