USAID takes steps with partners to advance ASEAN regional Demand Reduction Coordination Strategy to counter illegal wildlife consumption

USAID takes steps with partners to advance ASEAN regional Demand Reduction Coordination Strategy to counter illegal wildlife consumption
Screenshot of Thailand Demand Reduction Steering Group Meeting
The USAID supported, Thai government led Thailand Demand Reduction Steering Group (DRSG) focused on counter wildlife trafficking efforts has been an excellent example of partner coordination, collaboration and shared learning that is ripe for replication and expansion at the ASEAN regional level.

On November 7, USAID Reducing Demand for Wildlife co-hosted the third meeting in 2022 of the Thailand DRSG with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The meeting was attended by 20 representatives from 12 partner organizations involved in reducing demand for wildlife products in the country. The DRSG agreed to draft a regional demand reduction coordination strategy that will presented by DNP during the annual ASEAN Working Group Meeting in May 2023.  During the meeting, DNP also informed that it will endorse the adoption of social and behavior change communication (SBCC) in planning demand reduction campaigns during the 19th meeting of the CITES Conference of Parties (COP 19) from November 14 to 25, 2022 in Panama. Coordinating efforts at the national and regional levels will improve efficiency and effectiveness of demand reduction campaigns, significantly decrease consumption and future purchase intention, and save endangered wildlife.