Members of the Colombian Oceans Caucus are learning firsthand the challenges facing Colombia’s oceans and coastal ecosystems. Caucus members recently visited Rosario National Reef and San Bernardo to observe conditions and discuss with local experts current work and future priorities regarding ocean conservation in Colombia.

In Gabon, The ICCF Group is working to improve the judiciary’s understanding of issues surrounding the illegal wildlife trade and give them the necessary tools to effectively handle cases involving wildlife and environmental crimes. On March 23, 2018, The ICCF Group organized a national workshop for magistrates from nine Gabonese provinces to strengthen their capacity to handle these cases.

Thanks in part to leadership by members of the Colombian Conservation Caucus, a bill approving the 2013 Minamata Convention on Mercury has passed in both chambers of the Colombian Congress.

The ICCF Group and ICCF Peru, on March 15-17, led a multi-party delegation of members of the Peruvian Conservation Caucus on a field mission to the Amazonian city of Tarapoto to observe conditions and meet with local experts.

Landmines remain a challenge to sustainable development and conservation in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, the Okavango watershed. On March 14th, ICCF hosted a panel of experts on Capitol Hill to discuss ways that Angola, home to the headwaters of this river system, can safely maximize the area’s natural potential.

Organized forest crime is a significant threat to natural resources in Malawi. As the country looks to address this threat, The ICCF Group facilitated a briefing with Malawi’s inter-agency body on wildlife crime and members of the Malawi Parliamentary Conservation Caucus (MPCC) to discuss opportunities for legal reforms.

In 2018, members of the Zambian Parliamentary Conservation Caucus (ZPCC) are poised to take action to address conservation challenges facing the inland African nation. To reorient the group and set priorities for the upcoming term, members gathered with leaders from government, the private sector, and civil society on February 26, 2018 in Lusaka for a day-long workshop.

The Malawi Parliamentary Conservation Caucus (MPCC), which garnered praise from the Speaker of Parliament for past efforts to work across party lines toward the conservation of Malawi’s wildlife, forests and environment, has launched its 2018 program of activities.

The Co-Chairs of the U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus and Oceans Caucus have identified priorities for the remainder of the 115th Congress, including addressing food security, conservation in southern Africa, and marine debris.

The Mexican Conservation Parliamentary Group (GPCM) carried out a field mission from January 17th to 19th to enable legislators to learn first-hand the importance of community-owned and managed forestry companies . . .

Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Co-Chair of the U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus, today introduced legislation aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth through trans-boundary conservation programs in the Okavango River Basin.

ICCF Colombia is pleased to announce that H.S. Efraín Cepeda, the President of the Senate, has signed a commitment letter to become a co-chair of the Colombian Conservation Caucus and the Colombian Oceans Caucus.

ICCF Colombia convened a roundtable to discuss the importance of the ratification of several multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) for sustainable development in Colombia.

On Wednesday, November 8th, the Oceans Caucus Foundation hosted the second of its National Security Briefing Series with Vice Admiral Charles Ray on the role of the U.S. Coast Guard in ocean protection, maritime partnerships, and modern technology.

The ICCF Group, Space for Giants, and Stop Ivory have launched a suite of new advisory documents that can guide authorities and policymakers as they enact and enforce stronger laws against wildlife and forestry crime. The documents draw on the insight of experienced legal practitioners in the wildlife and environmental fields.

On Wednesday, October 25th, the ICCF hosted Members of the U.S. Congress, including Co-Chairs of the International Conservation Caucus, for a high-level dialogue focused on the important Okavango River watershed region.

On October 24, ICCF hosted a panel discussion on the illegal wildlife trade, featuring film clips from The Last Animals, a film by photojournalist Kate Brooks. In addition to Kate Brooks, panelists included Lisa Dougan, President and CEO of Invisible Children, and Colin Sheldon of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

ICCF’s International Conservation Corps program carried out a field mission in partnership with the country’s National Services for Protected Areas (SERNANP) to define areas of collaboration in which the ICCF program can support Peru through expert technical assistance.

On October 6, ICCF hosted a U.S. Congressional staff briefing with the International Elephant Foundation (IEF) on managing human-elephant conflict in Southeast Asia.

Under the leadership of Senator Marcela Guerra, Co-Chair of the Mexican Conservation Parliamentary Group, participating Members of Congress signed a legislative declaration committing to Mexico’s compliance with CITES and calling for NAFTA parties to consider provisions promoting sustainable, traceable trade.