A high-level meeting in La Paz, Bolivia brought together senior government officials and international partners to address a key driver of environmental crime: corruption. The event was one of the first public activities under the Basel Institute on Governance’s new UK-funded programme, “Building a global network to prevent biodiversity-related corruption.”

Participating authorities signed a joint declaration to strengthen integrity and prevent “green corruption” in the management of natural resources. 

This is an important step. Strong political will is essential to tackle corruption risks that undermine conservation. The declaration shows a clear commitment by government partners to take action.

The event in March 2026 was jointly organised by the Basel Institute’s Green Corruption team in Latin America, Bolivia’s Vice Ministry of Transparency, Legal Certainty and Human Rights, and the Forest and Land Authority (ABT).

Sessions combined international perspectives – including from Peru’s Secretariat for Public Integrity and Basel Institute experts – with practical group work. Participants analysed real corruption risks affecting environmental governance and explored concrete prevention measures. 

The event built on previous programmes in Bolivia and the region, particularly in the forestry sector, where partners have already made important progress in strengthening integrity systems.

A major driver of biodiversity loss? Corruption

Corruption is a major enabler of environmental crime and illegal wildlife trade. It weakens law enforcement, undermines regulations and reduces the impact of conservation efforts. 

Yet most responses still focus on enforcement alone. Preventing corruption risks in the first place remains largely overlooked.

A new approach: prevention, not just enforcement

This is what the Basel Institute’s new programme aims to change. Running until the end of 2028, the programme supports government partners in Bolivia, Indonesia, Madagascar and Malawi. It is funded by the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund of the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

Instead of focusing only on catching crimes, it focuses on stopping them from happening. 

A particular focus is on strengthening everyday administrative systems. This is where corruption most often undermines conservation outcomes. The programme will help partner agencies to identify where corruption occurs in processes such as licensing, inspections and resource management.

Our teams will then help partners to design and implement practical measures to reduce those risks. It is in this patient, detailed work with frontline officials that the real impact actually happens.

A safe space for governments to learn from each other

A key innovation is the creation of a Wildlife Corruption Prevention Support Network.

This network brings together government practitioners from different countries to openly discuss challenges, share experiences and test ideas. This kind of frank, practical exchange is rare, but essential.

It allows partners to learn directly from each other, avoid repeating mistakes and move faster.

Scaling what works globally

The programme will also develop a global database of tested anti-corruption measures. This will capture practical tools, lessons learned and real-world examples.

Together, the network and the database will help countries scale what works, rather than starting from scratch.

By strengthening systems and connecting practitioners, the programme aims to reduce corruption risks at their source. In the long term, this will help protect biodiversity, curb illegal wildlife trade and support more sustainable and equitable use of natural resources.