Judges Symposium, Paris, 9 - 10 June 2011

Judges, Prosecutors and enforcement experts team up to consider integrated enforcement to combat illegal trade in ozone depleting substances

For the first time UNEP has held a ‘brainstorming symposium’ involving High Court Judges, Prosecutors and a range of other experts to discuss the means to better address the issue smuggling of ozone depleting substances (ODS). The symposium held on the 9-10 June 2011 in Paris was hosted by the OzonAction Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme Division of Technology, Industry and Economics and held in cooperation with UNEP Division of Environmental Law and Conventions (DELC).

The symposium had the objective of assessing the need and means for capacity building beyond that provided to customs officers to facilitate greater involvement and integration of the judiciary and prosecutors in tackling the ODS illegal trade and illegal trade in other environmentally sensitive commodities with a view to providing Integrated Capacity Building of the Enforcement Chain.

The meeting enjoyed participation of Supreme and High Court Judges from four different developing countries around the world and Prosecutors from Europe and the USA. They were joined by a number of experts from partner organisations and from other UNEP Divisions, Offices, Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEA) secretariats.

The brainstorming provided the opportunity to share experiences and ‘on the ground’ realities and needs of developing countries in relation to illegal trade. It allowed a better common understanding of the various relevant ongoing and existing initiatives, activities and training materials. The experiences and insights of the participants provided crucial guidance in considering the means of advancing the role of the entire enforcement chain including judges, prosecutors, attorneys, police and customs to enforce environmental agreements. The meeting decided on a list of practical recommendations to be taken up by UNEP and its partners in starting to plan future activities and potential synergies in addressing illegal trade in ODS and other commodities by the enforcement community.