Minister Dion George drives G20 pact against wildlife trafficking

South Africa's Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Dion George is advocating for a G20 memorandum of understanding to combat illicit wildlife trafficking, including cooperation with China, while leading the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group under South Africa's presidency. He emphasizes targeting international syndicates over local poachers, highlights neglected Western Cape harbors like Hout Bay as abalone poaching epicenters, and outlines plans to improve security, cleanliness, and remove wrecks starting mid-June. South Africa has advanced marine protected areas but lags on land conservation amid human-wildlife conflicts, underscoring the need for systemic global and local reforms to achieve sustainable outcomes.