Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime

What Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime does

The Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime (EWC; DBA "End Wildlife Crime") is a Hong Kong-registered, globally operating nonprofit policy advocacy alliance launched in June 2020 and hosted by the ADM Capital Foundation. It is an informal coalition rather than a commercial entity, employing a small distributed team estimated at 6-10 individuals (staff plus interns) and led by Chair John E. Scanlon AO, former Secretary General of CITES. Its stated purpose is to encourage states to close gaps in international and national law relating to wildlife crime and zoonotic spillover risk by engaging governments at UN forums including UNTOC COP, CCPCJ and the World Health Assembly, coordinating a 45+ organization International Champions network, and providing technical drafting support through a steering group comprising ADM Capital Foundation, African Wildlife Foundation, Born Free Foundation, Freeland and the International Conservation Caucus Foundation.

EWC's three core "products" are policy deliverables rather than commercial offerings: (1) a draft UNTOC Wildlife Protocol that would create specific obligations for states to criminalize and combat illicit wildlife trafficking under the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime; (2) proposed CITES amendments incorporating public health and animal health ("One Health") criteria into wildlife trade decision-making; and (3) advocacy and technical support for the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which was adopted at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025. A Policy Resources Library of briefing papers, open letters, reports and educational content in 8+ languages complements these policy outputs. EWC does not develop proprietary technology platforms; its technology surface is limited to its public website and webinar/event content.

EWC's revenue derives entirely from grant funding and in-kind organizational support rather than commercial sales. The only disclosed funding instrument is a €212,103.23 grant awarded by GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) in January 2023, shared with ICCF Group and Legal Atlas for a pandemic prevention project in Angola, Botswana and Zambia. Hosting, operational support, and the steering group function are provided by the ADM Capital Foundation. Pro bono legal drafting support has been provided by Arnold & Porter. Services to governments and partner organizations are provided free of charge.

Name

Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime

Legal name

Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime

Website

https://endwildlifecrime.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime is a nonprofit policy advocacy alliance hosted by the ADM Capital Foundation, urging UN Member States to adopt international legal frameworks — including a UNTOC wildlife protocol and One Health provisions — to combat wildlife trafficking and zoonotic spillover risk.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Crime Policy Advocacy

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ), Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement (BPAGAIAG), Wildlife Health & Conservation Disease Management (HLAMAJAM), One Health & Zoonotic Disease Partnerships (Human–Animal–Environment) (HLAJAOAJ), Animal Health Policy, Standards & International Coordination (e.g., WOAH/FAO) (HLAMAJAO)

Keywords

• Wildlife crime policy
• International law reform
• Transnational organized crime
• Wildlife trafficking prevention
• Pandemic prevention advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Hong Kong

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant funding and organizational support: The initiative is hosted by the ADM Capital Foundation and receives grant funding from organizations such as GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation), which awarded a grant of €212,103.23 for a pandemic prevention project. Revenue is derived from foundation grants and organizational support rather than commercial revenue streams.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime advocates for and offers technical support toward (a) creation of an additional protocol covering wildlife trafficking under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC), (b) full implementation of UN resolutions on tackling illicit wildlife trafficking, (c) inclusion of public health and animal health criteria in international conventions through a robust WHO Pandemic Agreement, and (d) adoption of national measures to minimize pathogen spillover risk. Its offerings are policy proposals, draft protocols, briefing papers, and coalition coordination, delivered free of charge to governments, UN bodies, and partner organizations.

Product overview

The Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime is a policy advocacy organization (not a technology product company) that advances three core policy products: (1) UNTOC Wildlife Protocol Proposal - a draft international treaty to criminalize and combat wildlife trafficking under the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime framework; (2) CITES Amendments Proposal - proposed amendments to existing wildlife trade laws to incorporate public health and animal health criteria; and (3) Pandemic Instrument Advocacy - technical support for a WHO Pandemic Agreement with One Health provisions. The initiative also publishes a resource library of briefing papers, reports, speeches, and educational materials to support these policy objectives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UNTOC Wildlife Protocol Proposal A detailed draft international protocol under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) that would create specific obligations for states to prevent and combat illicit wildlife trafficking, including criminalization of offenses, international cooperation, and enforcement measures. Targeted at UN Member States and national governments.
• CITES Amendments Proposal Proposed amendments to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to include public health and animal health criteria in decision-making processes, enabling a One Health approach to wildlife trade regulation. Targeted at Parties to CITES and national wildlife trade authorities.
• Pandemic Instrument Advocacy Technical support and advocacy for the development of a WHO Pandemic Agreement that incorporates a strong focus on primary prevention of zoonotic diseases emerging from wildlife trade and markets. Targeted at WHO Member States, health ministries, and negotiators of the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
• Policy Resources Library A comprehensive collection of resources including briefing papers, meeting materials, open letters, policy recommendations, press releases, reports, speeches, UN resolutions, videos, and webinars supporting EWC's policy objectives. Targeted at governments, UN delegations, researchers, journalists, and partner organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% of UN Member States surveyed support or are open to an additional Protocol to UNTOC
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and champions.

• ADM Capital FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2020The initiative is hosted by the ADM Capital Foundation, which also serves as a founding Champions and provides structural guidance through the steering group. ADM Capital Foundation oversees the initiative's operations and provides organizational support.
• African Wildlife FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the steering group that provides structured guidance to the initiative. African Wildlife Foundation contributes expertise in conservation policy and wildlife protection.
• Born Free FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the steering group providing structured guidance. Born Free Foundation contributes to wildlife conservation and policy advocacy efforts.
• FreelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the steering group providing structured guidance. Freeland brings expertise in anti-wildlife trafficking operations and intelligence.
• International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the steering group providing structured guidance. ICCF works with congressional caucuses and governments on conservation policy.
• Legal AtlascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-recipient of GIZ grant for the pandemic prevention project. Legal Atlas contributes legal expertise and benchmarking tools for zoonotic disease prevention.
• Four PawscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of the informal Pandemics and Animal Welfare (PAW) Coalition, which End Wildlife Crime joined. Four Paws organizes coalition activities and advocacy on wildlife trade and pandemic prevention.
• Arnold & PorterkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational law firm provided pro bono support in preparing the draft UNTOC Protocol. Contributed legal drafting expertise and review of the protocol document.
• International Alliance on Health Risks in Wildlife TradecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted by GIZ, this alliance brings together organizations working on health risks from wildlife trade. End Wildlife Crime is an active member contributing to pandemic prevention efforts.
• Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)championsStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding International Champion supporting the Statement of Purpose and advancing objectives. AZA represents zoos and aquariums committed to wildlife conservation.
• Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC)championsStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding International Champion and founding Champions of the network. WJC conducts investigations and intelligence on wildlife crime and provides technical support.
• World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)championsStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding International Champion supporting the initiative's objectives. WTTC represents the global travel and tourism sector.
• Treadright FoundationchampionsStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding International Champion. The Treadright Foundation works within the travel industry to promote sustainable tourism and wildlife protection.
• EarthRangerchampionsTechnology or IntegrationFirst Impact Technology Champion announced in October 2024. EarthRanger provides wildlife monitoring technology supporting anti-poaching efforts.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/end-wildlife-crime

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime