Waste and anti-corruption experts from government agencies and civil society groups in Southeast Asia, European Union agencies, international organizations and journalists gathered for two days in June to discuss ways to expand crime-busting efforts and other solutions for tackling corruption in the waste sector.
“The National Anti-Corruption Commission of Thailand is not only aware that waste crime is a growing problem across the world, but [it] is currently making full efforts on fighting environmental corruption in Thailand,” stressed Nitiphan Prachuabmoh, NACC Deputy Secretary-General. “This important [dialogue seminar] event comes during a time of immense challenges for the waste sector and anti-corruption agencies.”
The seminar is an extension of the UNODC report published in April, Cash in the Trash: The Role of Corruption, Organized Crime and Money Laundering in Waste Trafficking, which explores the intersection between waste trafficking and corruption.
The report, developed in cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and international experts, recognizes waste trafficking as a serious crime linked to corruption, organized crime and money laundering that particularly impacts the ASEAN region.
Waste trafficking, the report notes, is a highly profitable and low-risk activity that attracts criminal groups seeking to diversify their activities and launder illicit profits. Criminal networks hide behind legal businesses and exploit legal loopholes while bribing officials for permits, falsifying documents and obstructing inspections. Evidence that the report collected outlines how corruption opportunities in the waste supply chain are widespread and how comprehensive regulatory and enforcement measures are required, along with alignment with the UN Convention Against Corruption standards.
Seminar panelists from Southeast Asia present waste trafficking cases in which acts of corruption were observed.
The seminar discussions thus focused on the challenges that enable waste crimes that the ASEAN region faces, such as regulatory and enforcement gaps and inadequate reporting and monitoring systems.
“Waste management is one of the most critical environmental challenges for our planet – not only for developing countries but also for the European Union,” said Francesca Arato, Acting Head of the EU Foreign Policy Instrument Regional Team for Asia–Pacific. “It is a profitable and low-risk activity that needs to be tackled in a systemic and sustainable way, through intra- and interregional cooperation. If we want to prioritize a sustainable transition, we must recognize that trafficked waste poses threats to legitimate trade.”
Emphasizing prevention, detection, enforcement and collaboration among stakeholders, the seminar experts presented effective measures and strategies that could be adopted to combat waste crime and corruption.
"Preventing corruption in the waste management chain requires transparent legislation, independent anti-corruption bodies and robust enforcement. And implementing digital procedures, increasing awareness of the risks of corruption and criminalizing corruption are important strategies,” added Ioana Cotutiu, UNODC Unwaste Project Coordinator.
A seminar participant shows a sample of illegally imported waste.
She also stressed that countries must align their laws with the Convention Against Corruption and actively enforce them. “Addressing corruption in the waste management chain demands a multifaceted approach involving legal measures, international cooperation, public awareness and strong enforcement,” she explained.
The experts emphasized that interagency cooperation and the involvement of civil society organizations and the private sector are vital. They also recommended additionally establishing multidisciplinary task forces, digitalizing processes and aligning customs procedures to enhance transparency in the waste management chain. Expanding capacities, efficient reporting systems and whistleblower protection measures, along with legal frameworks, is equally necessary to ensure accountability. In parallel, public awareness campaigns and media cooperation will support these efforts.
The Unwaste project is implemented by the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme, and benefits from the financial support of the European Union.
Click here to read the Cash in the Trash report
Click here to learn more about the Unwaste project
Click here to learn more about UNODC’s work on anti-corruption
Click here to learn more about UNODC's Regional Programme for Southeast Asia
Click here to learn more about UNODC’s Global Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment
