South African Minister of Forests, Fisheries and Environment, Dion George, urged world leaders to transform commitments into concrete actions during his address at the international meeting.

He stressed the urgency of implementing the Cape Town Declaration adopted last month under South Africa’s G20 presidency.

“For the first time in the forum’s history, the major economies recognized that environmental crimes constitute transnational organized crimes that threaten global security, economic stability, and social well-being,” the South African Minister emphasized.

The Rio Declaration, ratified this week in Brazil, strengthens the legal framework established in the pioneering document promoted by South Africa, supported by nations representing more than 85% of the world economy.

Both instruments call for strengthened international cooperation against illegal wildlife trafficking, deforestation, illegal mining, and the trade in hazardous waste.

On this occasion, George detailed the actions undertaken by his country, including the gradual closure of the captive-bred lion industry—the only commercial experience of its kind globally—and the proposal to include dried abalone in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

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