ENRD to Serve as Head of U.S. Delegation at Forestry Ministerial at APEC Forum in China to Grow Support for Timber Trafficking Enforcement

The Justice Department today announced that Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General (PDAAG) Adam Gustafson of the Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) will serve as the head of the United States' delegation for a Ministerial Meeting on Forestry, which is part of a 2026 senior officials' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Over the next week, PDAAG Gustafson will represent U.S. interests in emphasizing the importance of investigating and prosecuting timber trafficking crimes.

APEC economies account for over half of the world's forests and approximately 80% of the international trade in forest products. The Forestry Ministerial meets every two or three years, and this is the first time the Justice Department will serve as head of the U.S. delegation, which will also include representatives from the State Department, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

"Timber trafficking is the third most profitable form of transnational crime, with revenue estimates ranging between $52 billion to $157 billion annually," said PDAAG Gustafson. "The illegal timber trade is an economic and security threat to the United States and all APEC members. It hurts American businesses and revenue, market share, and good paying jobs. By sharing enforcement strategies at home and abroad, and by improving collaboration across the U.S. government, we are fighting the illegal harvest and trade of forest products. My message at APEC is simple: member economies should enforce their own laws - many of which are modeled off of the Lacey Act in the U.S. - to curtail timber trafficking."