{
  "id": 16657062,
  "title": "A rare victory for multilateralism in the fight against environmental crime (commentary)",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/a-rare-victory-for-multilateralism-in-the-fight-against-environmental",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-26T20:20:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mongabay",
    "slug": "mongabay",
    "url": "https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/a-rare-victory-for-multilateralism-in-the-fight-against-environmental-crime-commentary/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Multilateralism has faced numerous challenges in recent years, with international institutions under pressure, geopolitical tensions rising, and governments struggling to reach consensus on basic rules. However, last week in Vienna, an unexpected milestone was achieved. Representatives from around the world agreed to initiate negotiations for a global treaty aimed at combating environmental crime. Though a modest victory, this development holds significant potential to curb the activities of some of the world's most detrimental criminal organizations.\n\nThe breakthrough occurred during the 13th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). In a vote of 83 to 12, governments endorsed a resolution establishing a committee dedicated to creating a new protocol targeting illegal wildlife and timber trade, illicit mining and mineral trafficking, and waste trafficking. This outcome was far from guaranteed, as the United States, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and Iran attempted to weaken the initiative but ultimately failed.\n\nBrazil deserves substantial praise for its role in securing this progress. Collaborating with a coalition comprising Latin American and African nations, Brazilian diplomats transformed years of technical discussions into political momentum. Civil society organizations, such as the Igarapé Institute, played a crucial role in generating evidence and maintaining pressure for enhanced international action.\n\nThis breakthrough also underscores a broader shift in global diplomacy. Developing countries within the Global South are increasingly assuming the role of norm-setters rather than mere norm-followers. This transformation is evident in various areas, including climate change and biodiversity conservation.",
  "summary": "Multilateralism has had a miserable few years. International institutions are under strain, geopolitical rivalries are intensifying and governments struggle to agree on even the most elementary rules. Governments struggle to agree on even elementary rules. Yet last week in Vienna, there was an unexpected breakthrough. Countries agreed to begin negotiating a global treaty to tackle […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}