GLITSS

Illicit Trade Practices Across Various Sectors: Drivers, Dynamics, and Root Causes
2025-04-01 - 2025-04-02 | Wroclaw, Poland
We are pleased to share that we successfully held the WG1 workshop “Illicit Trade Practices Across Various Sectors: Drivers, Dynamics, and Root Causes” on April 1–2, 2025, in Wroclaw, Poland. Over the two days, we explored cross-sectoral theoretical and empirical concepts, as well as case studies, to better understand the causes and drivers behind illicit trade. The discussions highlighted both sector-specific dynamics and the interconnections between them, contributing to a more comprehensive grasp of the broader illicit trade phenomenon. This workshop not only fostered insightful dialogue and the exchange of ideas, but also laid a strong foundation for future collaboration on the multifaceted issue of illicit trade. We would like to extend our special thanks to Dr. Piotr Luty and the Wroclaw University of Economics and Business for generously hosting the event.

Biodiversity Day Webinar | Understanding the Dimensions of Legal Wildlife Trade
2025-05-22
On the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, we are pleased to invite you to a thought-provoking webinar exploring the dimensions of legal wildlife trade — a topic that often escapes the spotlight but plays a critical role in global biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Date: 22/05/2025
Time: 9 pm HKT, 3 pm CET Biodiversity Day!
Wildlife trade remains one of the greatest yet most overlooked threats to global biodiversity. While IPBES estimates that around 50,000 species are in trade, recent analyses suggest the number may be much higher, especially due to limited data on non-CITES-listed species. Our upcoming webinar will explore what is being traded, in what volumes, and from where, revealing critical gaps in traceability, frequent misreporting, and the need for stronger policies to ensure sustainable and legal trade practices.
Let’s come together to deepen our understanding and push for evidence-based, ethical, and sustainable trade practices.
Speakers: Alice C. Hughes, School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong
🎟 Register here: https://rug-nl.zoom.us/meeting/register/QOFcH42STeqKA7k9apEZqQ#/registration

2025 Annual Glitss Conference "The Causes of Illicit Trade" – Milan, Italy
2025-06-04 | University of Milano Bicocca, Mian
The third GLITSS Annual Conference was successfully held on June 4th, 2025, at the University of Milano Bicocca in Milan. Hosted by the Department of Sociology and Social Research, the conference brought together international scholars, experts, and policymakers to explore the underlying causes of illicit trade and its far-reaching effects on global security, sustainability, and governance.
Opening remarks from institutional leaders set the tone for a day of thoughtful discussion and interdisciplinary exchange. A compelling keynote address challenged participants to rethink current understandings of illicit markets and to consider new avenues for both research and policy action. Panel sessions throughout the day focused on a variety of topics, including the legal, social, and economic dimensions of illicit trade. Speakers addressed the complexity of illicit networks and highlighted how such activities intersect with issues of migration, counterfeiting, and institutional trust. The conference featured two main panel sessions. The first explored the consequences of illicit trade for safety, security, and sustainability, highlighting how illegal markets undermine institutional trust, threaten public health, and contribute to global insecurity. The second panel focused on the structural causes and enabling conditions of illicit trade, examining the role of legal loopholes, weak enforcement, and socio-economic disparities in facilitating the growth of shadow economies. Both sessions generated lively discussion and offered diverse perspectives from ongoing academic research and field-based insights. The conference fostered valuable dialogue between academics and practitioners, creating a space for collaboration across disciplines and sectors. Both in-person and online attendees contributed to dynamic discussions that underscored the importance of evidence-based approaches to tackling illicit economies.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our host, the Department of Sociology and Social Research at the University of Milano-Bicocca, for their generous support and hospitality. We also warmly thank all participants, panelists, and contributors whose insights, engagement, and behind-the-scenes efforts helped shape a rich and successful event. Your commitment and collaboration were essential to the organization and impact of the 2025 GLITSS Annual Conference. We look forward to continuing this important conversation within the GLITSS network and beyond.

The Case Study Webinar Series: Responses to Illicit Trade
2025-08-28
Illicit trade takes many forms, from the trafficking of marine resources to money laundering and firearms. Addressing these challenges requires innovative, practical, and collaborative approaches.
The Case Study Webinar Series: Responses to Illicit Trade aims to highlight diverse and concrete responses to various forms of illicit trade. This webinar brings together experts to present short case studies on initiatives addressing the illicit trade in marine resources, money laundering, and firearms. Each presentation will focus on practical developments, policy implications, and institutional challenges relevant to their respective domains.
Prof. Hennie van As will present the FishFORCE project, an initiative led by Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, which combines inter-agency cooperation, capacity building, and intelligence-led enforcement to combat marine poaching, with a focus on abalone and rock lobster.
Dr. Georgios Pavlidis will examine the creation of the new European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) and its potential to reshape the EU’s institutional landscape in the fight against illicit financial flows. The presentation will highlight AMLA’s mandate, supervisory role, and relevance to combating trade-based money laundering and proceeds from organized crime.
Prof. Boban Misoski will explore recent legislative reforms in North Macedonia aimed at regulating illicit firearms production and trade. His presentation will reflect on how these legal changes are being implemented in practice, and the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and the judiciary in prosecuting such offences effectively.
Date: August 28, 2025
Time: 12:00–13:15 CET
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore real-world responses to illicit trade and engage with practitioners and academics working at the forefront of this global challenge.
🎟 Register here: https://rug-nl.zoom.us/meeting/register/rF33qsbaR2Gf3R95OSVSRQ#/registration

Latest updates from our three-volume book series on safety, security, and sustainability
2025-09-01 - 2025-09-02 | Univeristy of Groningen
Latest updates from our three-volume book series on safety, security, and sustainability.
We had the pleasure of holding our workshop at the University of Groningen to mark the realization of our book Volume 1, the first in a series of three volumes. The series explores crucial global challenges through the lenses of safety, security, and sustainability, bringing together diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary insights.
A heartfelt thank you to all colleagues and partners for their valuable contributions. We look forward to continuing this journey with the upcoming volumes! Stay tuned and keep following our work on this exciting journey.

Globalization, Illicit Trade, Sustainability and Security
2025-09-25 - 2025-09-26 | Faculty of Law, Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
The members of Working Group 4 of COST Action No. CA21133 “Globalization, Illicit Trade, Sustainability and Security” (GLITSS) met on September 25–26, 2025, at the Faculty of Law, Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, to work on subchapters of the book, with a special focus on “Tracking and Tracing Technologies” and “Detection and Prevention Through Data Analytics.” During the workshop, participants discussed various methodological approaches and emerging challenges related to these topics, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. The event was part of the preparation for a forthcoming publication that will be included in a three-volume series produced by the GLITSS network.

Workshop - Core Group and Deputies Meeting in Groningen in the Netherlands
2025-09-30 - 2025-10-01 | Univeristy of Groningen
Exciting days for the GLITSS COST Action CA21133 – Globalization, Illicit Trade, Sustainability and Security! Last week on 30.09. and 01.10. In 2025, we held the Core Group and Deputies Meeting in Groningen in the Netherlands, where we discussed the strategic directions and upcoming plans for the next year of the project.
A special focus of our discussions was on the three-volume book series that will be published next year, Policy briefs, Workshops, Webinars, Blog series, and many more important milestones that bring together the work, insights, and collaborations developed through our COST Action. It was inspiring to exchange ideas, align our goals, and continue building this vibrant research network across Europe and beyond.
If you would like your research to gain more visibility and expand your professional network, we warmly invite you to join our GLITSS activities and share your research interests. There are many opportunities to get involved in ways that best enhance you.
A big thank you to all colleagues and contributors for their dedication and teamwork; Together, we are making GLITSS COST Action grow stronger!

Responses to Illicit Trade, organized under the GLITSS COST Action Working Group 3
2025-10-03 00:00 - 01:30 UTC
We are excited to invite you to the next session of the Case Study Webinar Series: Responses to Illicit Trade, organized under the GLITSS COST Action Working Group 3.
Date: 3 October 2025, 12:00–13:00 CET
Time: 12:00–13:15 CET
🎟 Register here: https://rug-nl.zoom.us/meeting/register/rF33qsbaR2Gf3R95OSVSRQ#/registration
This session will feature two insightful case studies on responses to illicit trade:
Olena Tregub, Executive Director of the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO, Ukraine), will present “Made in Switzerland, Found in the Kremlin War Machine.” The talk will explore how Swiss-made microelectronics are found in Russian weaponry through illicit supply chains. Drawing on forensic analysis, customs data, and open-source research, NAKO has traced over 2,000 components in 30 weapons systems from Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The presentation will highlight key manufacturers, suspected supply routes, and NAKO’s role in sanctions enforcement and advocacy.
The second presentation, “Policing Without Borders: Regional Responses to Illicit Trade on the Balkan Route,” by Dr. Kire Babanoski and Dr. Ice Ilijevski (University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, North Macedonia), focuses on law enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit flows of drugs, arms, and other goods along the Balkan Route. Based on recent cases and regional cooperation initiatives, it highlights cross-border policing, intelligence sharing, and policy strategies.
Examining regional law enforcement cooperation to counter illicit flows of drugs, arms, and other goods.
Moderator: Lucas Tosi Rodriguez
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into cross-border challenges and responses to illicit trade.
