SAWEN Adopts Kathmandu Declaration To Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade

Why in News?

Eight South Asian nations adopted the Kathmandu Declaration during the first General Assembly of SAWEN held in Kathmandu on September 10-11, 2026.

Key Points

• The Kathmandu Declaration calls for stronger regional action against transnational organised crime and illegal wildlife trade.
• It promotes intelligence-led investigations, financial investigations, anti-money-laundering action and asset recovery.
• The declaration involves all eight SAWEN member countries of South Asia.

Exam Connect

• SAWEN → South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network → regional intergovernmental wildlife-law-enforcement mechanism → headquarters Kathmandu, Nepal