Libreville hosts regional conference to combat natural resource plunder in TRIDOM and TNS landscapes

Representatives from Gabon, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic gathered to improve the tracking of criminal networks, their financiers, and the profits derived from illegal natural resource exploitation. The conference brought together judicial administrations, water and forestry departments, customs, and security forces to develop a common response to threats against Congo Basin ecosystems. Augustin Emane, Gabon's Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, and Human Rights, emphasized Gabon's commitment to ecosystem preservation and highlighted the need to dismantle networks that organize and finance environmental crimes, identify their funders, and confiscate their illicit gains.

The discussions aimed to improve judicial cooperation among the participating states, including harmonizing legislation on offenses, penalties, and judicial assistance mechanisms. The minister also advocated for standardized operational procedures for crime detection, evidence collection, and information exchange. Organized under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC Global Programme, the Libreville meeting seeks to establish a more coherent, rapid, and effective regional response to