Crime Convergence: Integrating Animal Crimes into Global Crime Prevention

Introduction

As global conversations intensify ahead of the 15th United Nations Crime Congress, World Animal Justice (WAJ) is actively engaged as a member of the Alliance on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. This week, we have contributed to the meeting ahead of regional consultations currently underway in Europe, following those in Asia and Oceania, helping to shape the global agenda that will culminate in Abu Dhabi in April 2026 at the 15th Crime Congress.

WAJ stands at the vanguard of a vital, yet often overlooked, front in global justice: the prevention and prohibition of animal crimes. At the recent Alliance preparatory meeting, WAJ reaffirmed its role as a leading NGO advocating for the recognition of all forms of animal crimes—from wildlife trafficking to the systemic and industrialized abuse of domestic animals—as critical issues of justice, public safety, and environmental sustainability.

Alongside the Wildlife Conservation Society spotlight on species protection and biodiversity, WAJ recognizes crimes against animality as interconnected with human and environmental criminality, demanding inclusion within global frameworks for crime prevention and justice for all.

Animal Crimes: A Missing Piece in the Global Crime Prevention Puzzle

For too long, animal crimes have been marginalized—dismissed as peripheral, or siloed within conservation or animal welfare. Yet the evidence is clear: animal abuse is often a red flag for deeper societal violence. From domestic abuse to organized crime and corruption, acts of cruelty toward animals are part of a converging ecosystem of harm.

WAJ is calling on Member States to recognize this convergence—and to place animal protection at the heart of crime prevention strategies. We urge the UN to treat crimes against animals not as secondary concerns, but as critical to breaking cycles of violence, dismantling organized criminal networks, and strengthening the rule of law.

Building on UNTOC COP12: WAJ’s Ongoing Push for Global Recognition of Animal Crimes

At the 12th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC COP12) in Vienna, Dr. Meganne Natali, representing WAJ in this instance, played a pivotal role in underscoring the deep ties between wildlife trafficking and transnational organized crime. She stressed that addressing this issue requires more than resource pooling—it demands strong partnerships among governments, NGOs, and the private sector, with aligned priorities, shared expertise, and the integration of local and Indigenous knowledge to bridge the gap between global policies and on-the-ground realities. 

Dr. Natali also advocated for the adoption of a fourth protocol dedicated to wildlife trafficking under the UNTOC. Her contributions have been instrumental in advancing WAJ’s mission to position animal crimes within the global justice agenda, a commitment we continue to uphold as we prepare for the 15th UN Crime Congress. See Dr. Meganne Natali’s Blog here.

WAJ’s Contributions to the 15th UN Crime Congress Agenda

WAJ’s written submissions to the UNODC’s regional preparations (see the Alliance report ahead of Europe and North-America) offer concrete, evidence-based strategies across key Congress agenda items and workshop themes (here). 

1. Innovative and Evidence-Based Crime Prevention

WAJ promotes:

• Systematic data collection on animal-related crimes and their links to human violence and organized crime.
• Cross-sectoral collaboration—linking environmental, social, and justice sectors.
• Empathy-based education that builds a culture of lawfulness from an early age.
• Training for law enforcement and judiciary to recognize and prosecute animal crimes as serious offences.

2. Inclusive Justice Systems

Animal victims are invisible in most justice systems—despite clear evidence of the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence. WAJ advocates for:

• Integrating animal protection into justice reform efforts, especially those focused on vulnerable populations.
• Policies that recognize animal cruelty as a key indicator of social dysfunction, and a tool for early intervention.

3. Addressing New and Evolving Crimes

Mass animal exploitation and wildlife crimes are new frontiers in global criminality:

• Wildlife trafficking is globally linked to arms smuggling and the funding of militias.
• Illegal animal trade can also overlap with drug routes.
• Globally, large-scale animal exploitation contributes to environmental degradation, social harm, and significant public health risks.

WAJ urges the UN to formally recognize animal crimes as part of transnational crime agendas, and to address them through modernized legislation, international cooperation, and anti-corruption safeguards.

4. Strengthening Cooperation and Partnerships

In view of the 15th Congress, WAJ’s collaborative efforts will aim at

• Co-authoring joint policy briefs with government and legal stakeholders to integrate animal crimes into national prevention strategies.
• Facilitating interdisciplinary coalitions that unite conservation, public health, law enforcement, and civil society in building resilient, humane justice systems.
  

5. Advancing Digital Tools and Innovation

WAJ promotes the development of tech-driven strategies for detecting and preventing animal crimes, while promoting ethical data governance and community-led monitoring.

WAJ’s Vision for the 2026 UN Crime Congress Declaration

WAJ is calling on Member States to ensure the 2026 Declaration:

1. Recognizes crime convergence—and addresses how animal crimes intersect with human exploitation and environmental degradation.
2. Elevates crimes against animality as integral to global justice efforts.
3. Supports multi-species violence prevention strategies that are inclusive and systemic.
4. Embeds anti-corruption mechanisms into wildlife and animal crime responses.
5. Promotes empathy-based education to cultivate long-term, cultural shifts.
6. Strengthens civil society participation and multistakeholder partnerships to create holistic, locally grounded solutions.

Tackling Crime Convergence Towards a Peaceful and Just Future for All

WAJ’s participation in the Alliance on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice is more than advocacy—it is a mission to realign justice systems with the reality of interconnected harms. We believe that protecting animals is essential to protecting people and the planet, in line with SDG16 on Peace and Justice for all. By amplifying the role of animal crimes within the UN’s crime prevention agenda, we help build a safer, more compassionate, and more resilient world.

As the 15th UN Crime Congress draws near, we will continue to work with governments, civil society, and international institutions to ensure that no form of violence is left unaddressed, and that every vulnerable being and victims of crimes—human or non-human—is protected under the rule of law.