Will INTERPOL go "green" this November?

This November, the INTERPOL General Assembly will appoint a new Secretary General, who will serve a five-year term, with the option for renewal. The INTERPOL Executive Committee has nominated Valdecy Urquiza of Brazil, who is expected to be endorsed by the General Assembly, INTERPOL’s supreme governing body.

Could this appointment lead to greater prioritization of environmental crime within the international law enforcement community?

Brazil, home to nearly 60% of the Amazon rainforest, boasts one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. However, illegal logging, land clearing, and illegal mining are rampant throughout the Amazon basin.

This appointment is particularly significant as Valdecy has a proven track record in supporting law enforcement operations against environmental crime in Brazil. A decade ago, I worked directly with him when he headed INTERPOL's office in Brazil. Together, we organized a National Environmental Security Taskforce Meeting in Brasília, and I can personally attest to his commitment to combat environmental crime.

Scientific monitoring of Brazil's deforestation over the past two decades has consistently shown a direct correlation: when law enforcement prioritizes environmental crime, deforestation rates decline. This empirical evidence highlights the critical role of sustained law enforcement efforts in protecting natural resources.

It stands to reason that when countries with vast natural resources prioritize environmental crime, there will be a corresponding decrease in environmental destruction.

INTERPOL must play a central role, since environmental crime is inherently transnational, requiring cross-border and international cooperation. Criminals exploit weak enforcement in certain countries or divide their operations across multiple locations, complicating investigations and prosecutions. To strengthen their fight against environmental crime, all countries must collaborate with neighbouring nations and law enforcement agencies along the supply chain of natural resources.

However, international cooperation often faces challenges such as differing legal systems, language barriers, and diplomatic complexities, which can hinder effective collaboration and information sharing. International police organizations, like INTERPOL, play a vital role in bridging these gaps.