Date: 5 December 2025
Time: 12:15–13:45
Location: Saker Falcon Room
Organised by: Caribbean Wildlife Enforcement Network (CAR-WEN) Working Group
Hosted within: 20th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CITES CoP20)
With support from: Sustainable Innovation Initiatives (SII) and regional partners

The CAR-WEN Side Event at CITES CoP20 will introduce the development, purpose, and operational architecture of the Caribbean Wildlife Enforcement Network, an emerging regional mechanism designed to strengthen prevention, detection, and response to wildlife crime across the Wider Caribbean.

Drawing on CAR-WEN’s draft Memorandum of Understanding, four-phase Strategic Plan, and ongoing catalysing activities, the session will outline how the Working Group, representing more than 25 Caribbean governments, is advancing coordinated enforcement capacity aligned with CITES and ICCWC guidance.

Participants will receive an updated overview of wildlife crime trends in the region and observe an applied demonstration of the Rapid Assessment Toolkit for Wildlife Crime and Enforcement, which supports rapid identification of priority risks and response options. The event forms part of ongoing preparations for the formal establishment of the CAR-WEN, expected to open for signature in 2026.

For additional information, we share with you the side event’s concept note.