United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

On 16-17 May, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Brazil organized the "Technical Meeting on Timber Identification Initiatives" in Brasilia, which included participation of key authorities from the Brazilian government and representatives of academic institutions. The activity took place in the scope of the ECOS project - Regional Cooperation to Fight Environmental Crimes, implemented by UNODC and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

During the two-day event, representatives from these institutions shared knowledge and experiences on tools and techniques for wood identification, information about databases, sample collection, and the use of such tools for forensic analysis in criminal cases.

The technical meeting also enabled debate among the participants about the challenges and specific needs for the strengthening of the inter-institutional work and for a coordinated and optimized action to face forest crimes, with UNODC highlighted as a strategic partner to support national initiatives.

Considering the results of the technical meeting with a focus on the suggestions of the representatives of these organizations, UNODC, within the scope of the ECOS project, intends to work in line with the needs raised during the event and advance in the discussions for more effective action related to timber identification.

UN Convention and Resolution - The organization of this technical meeting, promoted by UNODC, is related to its role as guardian of the International Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and commitment to the General Assembly Resolution 76/185/2021 related to providing technical assistance and training to member states to prevent and effectively combat crimes that affect the environment.

ECOS Project - The Technical Meeting on Timber Identification Initiatives was held as part of UNODC ECOS project, in partnership with USAID. The initiative aims to improve regional cooperation and the capacity of justice system and law enforcement actors to detect, intercept, investigate and prosecute transnational environmental crimes in the Amazon.

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