The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced the distinguished winners of the 2024–2025 Asia Environmental Enforcement Recognition of Excellence (AEEE). These awards honor outstanding individuals and institutions that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in tackling transboundary environmental crimes across Asia. The virtual awards ceremony, held on 17 October 2025, brought together international partners and enforcement leaders committed to advancing environmental justice.
Strengthening Global Environmental Enforcement
Opening the event, Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, underlined how multilateral environmental agreements provide a solid legal foundation to combat illegal traffic in hazardous waste and toxic chemicals. He stated that stronger enforcement and regional cooperation are giving frontline authorities the tools and frameworks needed to make a tangible difference.
Now in its ninth edition, the AEEE continues to highlight excellence in categories such as Collaboration, Impact, Innovation, Integrity, and Gender Leadership. For the first time, the awards also recognize Asia–Intercontinental collaboration—with special emphasis on pioneering efforts between Asia and Africa to tackle the illegal wildlife trade and related environmental crimes.
Recognizing Champions of Environmental Protection
The recipients—spanning government agencies, law enforcement teams, and dedicated individuals—were recognized for applying innovative strategies and impactful enforcement of national and international environmental laws. Their collective actions underscore the region’s growing capacity for collaboration, advanced technologies, and strong institutional integrity.
Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), said environmental crime remains a pressing global threat to both biodiversity and the rule of law. She emphasized that the 2025 honorees have shown how bold, coordinated action is crucial in building a just and sustainable future where people and nature coexist harmoniously.
Norikazu Kuramoto, Head of the World Customs Organization’s Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia Pacific, praised the winners’ unwavering dedication. He noted their “outstanding action and achievement in protecting the environment from complex cross-border crimes.”
Broad International Partnership
The AEEE, a UNEP initiative, is organized in partnership with INTERPOL, CITES, the Basel Convention Secretariat, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the World Customs Organization (WCO). This year’s edition expanded its partnership with three new entities. These are the Minamata Convention Secretariat on Mercury, the World Bank Global Wildlife Programme, and the UNEP Ozone Secretariat.
Dechen Tsering, UNEP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, commended both recipients and partners. Tsering emphasized that “Environmental crime knows no borders—and neither should our response. Global collaboration is essential to protect our shared environment.”
Highlights of the 2024–2025 Award Recipients
Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Shanghai Customs, China — Category: Impact
The Bureau advanced China’s commitment to the circular economy. It supported the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals by implementing the Basel Convention. Through its multi-year “Blue Sky” anti–solid waste campaign, it successfully dismantled a cross-border smuggling network.
In May 2024, officers seized 990 tonnes of illegal waste during risk-based inspections powered by big data analytics. Further investigations uncovered 3,000 tonnes of hidden waste in 148 containers. Five offenders were arrested and prosecuted, underscoring China’s leadership in tackling environmental smuggling through cutting-edge enforcement tools.
Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, Hong Kong SAR — Category: Impact
The department’s creation of the Customs Financial Investigation Bureau (CFIB) significantly strengthened efforts against criminal networks. A recent operation detected a $6.7 million money-laundering scheme integrating financial and wildlife crime investigations. Hong Kong Customs’ AI-powered forensic laboratory shows leadership in adopting technology. The Regional Dog Training Centre (RDTC), developed with the WCO, builds regional capacity against wildlife trafficking.
Joint Recognition: Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Shanghai Customs & Hong Kong Customs — Category: Collaboration
The two agencies jointly launched Operation Secure Harbour in March 2024, targeting illegal trade networks exploiting major seaports. They combined their intelligence and coordination efforts. This collaboration led to the seizure of nearly 9 tonnes of shark products. Seven suspects were arrested.
This operation became a model of transboundary collaboration. It showcases how teamwork between jurisdictions can dismantle sophisticated smuggling networks. These networks have a global reach.
Directorate General of Law Enforcement, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia — Category: Collaboration
Indonesia’s DG of Law Enforcement collaborated with the Indonesia Coast Guard, Riau Islands High Prosecutor’s Office, Batam District Attorney’s Office, and Immigration Office to stop the supertanker MT Arman 114 from polluting Indonesian waters. The case reached its conclusion with a landmark verdict. The ship’s captain received a sentence of seven years in prison. He was also fined IDR 5 billion (US$310,000). The vessel and 166,975 tonnes of crude oil, valued at over IDR 4.6 trillion, were confiscated—marking one of Indonesia’s toughest penalties for environmental crimes.
Ujung Kulon National Park Operations Task Force, Indonesia — Category: Impact
In a major crackdown, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and law enforcement dismantled two major poaching networks. These networks were responsible for killing 26 Javan rhinos. This species is one of the world’s most endangered.
The operation led to 13 arrests and the confiscation of 500 illegal firearms and several rhino horns. This landmark action disrupted organized wildlife crime and reinforced Indonesia’s leadership in multi-agency enforcement for biodiversity conservation.
Ritesh Sarothiya, Head of State Tiger Strike Force, India — Category: Impact
Ritesh Sarothiya, an Indian Forest Service officer, leads the State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) in Madhya Pradesh, India’s pioneering crackdown unit against wildlife crime. Between July 2023 and July 2024, the team arrested high-profile traffickers. These included Tashi Sherpa and Ajit Pardhi. They dismantled major international trafficking rings. Sarothiya also established the “State Forest Cyber Cell.” He introduced digital tools for investigating forest crimes. These innovations set new benchmarks in data-driven environmental law enforcement.
National Parks Board, Singapore, with Partner Agencies — Category: Asia-Africa Collaboration
A cross-continental investigation led by Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks), in coordination with the Singapore Police Force, Attorney-General’s Chambers, and South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), resulted in a record seizure of 20 rhinoceros horns (34.7 kg) at Changi Airport in 2022. The perpetrator was Gumede Sthembiso Joel. He was later sentenced to 24 months in prison. This sentence marked Singapore’s heaviest penalty for wildlife part smuggling. The case set a global benchmark for Africa–Asia cooperation against illegal wildlife trade.
Reinforcing Asia’s Commitment to Environmental Law
The AEEE 2025 awards underscore Asia’s growing commitment to cross-border environmental enforcement, technological innovation, and inclusive governance. The honorees have demonstrated strategic coordination among law enforcement, customs, and conservation agencies. This coordination can yield measurable outcomes in advancing environmental protection. It also promotes sustainability and the rule of law.
UNEP reaffirmed its support to continue empowering local and regional authorities to combat environmental crimes. It promotes a future where people, nature, and economies thrive together. This is achieved through collective global action.