Asia’s environmental enforcement leaders honored for cross-border impact

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today announced the recipients of the 2024-2025 Asia Environmental Enforcement Recognition of Excellence (AEEE), honouring exceptional individuals and institutions for their leadership in tackling transboundary environmental crimes across Asia. The awards ceremony was held virtually on 17 October 2025, bringing together global partners and enforcement leaders.  

Opening the event, Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, emphasised the importance of multilateral environmental agreements in enforcement efforts. “The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions provide a vital legal framework to combat illegal traffic in hazardous waste and chemicals. Strengthened enforcement and regional cooperation are empowering frontline actors to make a real difference,” he stated.

Now in its ninth edition, the AEEE recognises excellence in categories such as collaboration, impact, innovation, integrity, and gender leadership. For the first time, the awards also spotlight Asia–Intercontinental cooperation, with a special focus on Africa–Asia collaboration in addressing illegal wildlife trade.

The recipients include government officials, institutions, and teams who have demonstrated exceptional enforcement of national laws to combat crimes such as illegal trade in wildlife, timber, hazardous waste, chemicals, and ozone-depleting substances. 

“Environmental crime is seen as one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and the rule of law. Today’s honorees prove that bold action and collaboration across border are essential to enforcing environmental law and bringing us closer to a more just, resilient and sustainable future where people and wildlife thrive together,” said Ivonne Higuero, Secretary General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Norikazu Kuramoto, Head of the World Customs Organization’s Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia Pacific, expressed appreciation for the recipients’ “outstanding action, achievement, and accomplishment for protecting the environment”. 

The 2024-2025 edition of the AEEE is organised by UNEP in partnership with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the Secretariat of the Basel Convention, the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

This year, three new partners joined the initiative: the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the World Bank Global Wildlife Programme, and the Ozone Secretariat.

“We commended the recipients and partners for their dedication. Environmental crime knows no borders—and neither should our response. It is important that we maintain cross-border collaboration and collective action in protecting the environment,” said Dechen Tsering, UNEP Director, Regional Office of Asia Pacific.

The recipients of the Asia Environmental Enforcement Recognition of Excellence 2024-2025 are:

Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Shanghai Customs, China
Category: Impact

To advance the circular economy and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), China reinforces its commitment to implementing the Basel Convention. Accordingly, the Anti-smuggling police has continuously launched the “Blue Sky” campaign to crack down on solid waste smuggling.

In May 2024, the Anti-Smuggling Bureau (ASB) of Shanghai Customs seized 990 tonnes of illegal waste via inspections by using big data for risk analysis. Further investigation uncovered over 3,000 tonnes of solid waste hidden in 148 containers). The operation led to the arrest and prosecution of five offenders, successfully dismantling a cross-border smuggling network. 

Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Category: Impact

The creation of the Customs Financial Investigation Bureau (CFIB) has notably intensified efforts against criminal networks. Through a successful operation, Customs and Excise Department uncovered a major money laundering case involving US$6.7 million in crime proceeds.  This operation integrated financial investigations with wildlife law enforcement to combat smuggling and protect endangered species.

Hong Kong Customs also demonstrates technological leadership through its computer forensic lab and AI system, which analyses electronic evidence in cases involving narcotics, money laundering, and smuggling. Additionally, the Regional Dog Training Centre (RDTC), developed in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO), strengthens regional enforcement capabilities against wildlife trafficking.

These achievements reflect Hong Kong Customs’ commitment to innovation, collaboration, and impactful enforcement.

Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Shanghai Customs and Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department 
Category: Collaboration

To tackle illicit wildlife trade and contraband smuggling via two key seaports, the Anti-Smuggling Bureau (ASB) of Shanghai Customs and the Customs and Excise Department, HK SAR, jointly launched a “Secure Harbour” operation in March 2024.

A joint task force was set up for information and intelligence sharing and regular joint risk analysis. The cooperation led to a seizure of nearly 9 tonnes of shark products, arresting 7 suspects. Shanghai ASB and Hong Kong Customs, through joint collaboration, successfully dismantled a large-scale smuggling network- a case that stands as a classic example of joint law enforcement efforts between the two authorities.

Directorate General of Law Enforcement, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia, in collaboration with Indonesia Coast Guard (Badan Keamanan Laut Ri), Riau Islands High Prosecution Office Batam District Attorney Office and Indonesia Immigration Office.
Category: Collaboration

Inter-agency collaboration led to the successful apprehension of supertanker MT Arman 114, caught red-handed polluting Indonesia’s North Natuna Sea. The Indonesia Coast Guard detected suspicious activity and escorted the vessel to Batam, while the DG of Law Enforcement (MoEF), Riau Islands High Prosecutor’s Office, and Batam District Attorney’s Office handled investigation and prosecution.

Batam Immigration detained the crew until the verdict. The ship’s captain received seven years imprisonment and a fine of IDR 5 billion, and the court confiscated the vessel and its 166,975 tons of crude oil worth IDR 4.6 trillion—one of Indonesia’s highest verdicts for environmental cases.

Ujung Kulon National Park Operations Task Force, Indonesia
Category: Impact

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Law Enforcement (MoEF), together with the Ujung Kulon National Park Authority and Banten Regional Police, carried out a nationwide crackdown in 2023–2024 that dismantled two major poaching syndicates operating around Ujung Kulon National Park.

The coordinated operations led to the arrest of 13 perpetrators—including hunters, intermediaries, and buyers—responsible for killing 26 Javan rhinos, the world’s most endangered species. Nearly 500 illegal firearms and several rhino horns were confiscated. The successful operation not only dismantled both criminal groups but also significantly disrupted Indonesia’s illegal wildlife trade, strengthening multi-agency collaboration and setting a new standard for environmental law enforcement.

Ritesh Sarothiya, Head of State Tiger Strike Force, Madhya Pradesh, India
Category: Impact

Mr. Ritesh Sarothiya, an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer and Deputy Conservator of Forests, leads the State Tiger Strike Force (STSF)—India’s first dedicated team to combat organised forest and wildlife crime.

Between July 2023 and July 2024, under his leadership, STSF arrested international wildlife traffickers, including Tashi Sherpa, Adin Singh (alias Kalla Bawariya), and Ajit Pardhi, disrupting major syndicates. Mr. Sarothiya also spearheaded the creation of the “State Forest Cyber Cell,” which uses digital tools to investigate and prevent forest and wildlife crimes.

Since joining the Forest Service in 2009, Mr. Sarothiya has played a pivotal role in reducing illegal wildlife trade across Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states through the use of scientific methods and technology.

National Parks Board, Singapore (NParks), in collaboration with Singapore Police Force, Attorney-General’s Chambers, and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, South African Police Services 
Category: Asia-Africa Collaboration

A multinational task force comprising Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks), Singapore Police Force (SPF), Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), and South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) was formed to combat rhinoceros horn trafficking from South Africa to Asia.

On 4 October 2022, NParks seized 20 rhinoceroses’ horns (weighing 34.7 kg, valued at SUS$1.2 million / US$843,210) at Changi Airport. The accused, Gumede Sthembiso Joel, was arrested while transiting from South Africa to Laos via Singapore. Evidence gathered through joint investigations in both countries led to his successful prosecution. On 26 January 2024, Gumede was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment—the heaviest sentence in Singapore to date for wildlife part smuggling.

This collaboration exemplifies effective transnational enforcement against wildlife crime.

About the UN Environment Programme

UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.