UAE reaffirms its commitment to the prevention of Wildlife Trafficking

April 20, 2016 Dubai, UAE: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment organized a national workshop on combating illegal wildlife trafficking and the implementation of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Fauna & Flaura (CITES) hosted by Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. The workshop was held in partnership with the General Civil Aviation Authority, and in cooperation with Etihad Airways and supported by Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS-WWF) and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). 

The workshop, which was attended by representatives from various stakeholders, was aimed at further exploring how the UAE can ensure the effective implementation of the CITES and building the capacities of the targeted staff and strengthening the collaboration in the aviation sector. CITES regulates the trade of more than 5,600 animal species. As part of the workshop, stakeholders deliberated how national legislation and cooperation of key institutions in the UAE could help to shut down the routes exploited by wildlife traffickers and ensure the prevention of the illegal practice in the UAE. 

H.E. Eng. Mariam Hareb, Assistant Undersecretary of Water Resources and Nature Conservation Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said: “The transportation industry plays a significant role in preventing illegal wildlife smuggling; capacity building is a critical component in ensuring compliance with our international commitments.”   

The Ministry in corporation with relevant authorities regularly confiscates shipments of illegally traded species listed in the CITES, as part of its commitment to international obligations to conserve nature and biodiversity.   

The UAE is one of the first countries to have four representatives at the global initiative “United for Wildlife” , including the national airlines Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines who signed the Declaration of the United for Wildlife International Taskforce on the Transportation of Illegal Wildlife Products at Buckingham Palace last month.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our role in this workshop further demonstrates our commitment to the Buckingham Palace Declaration that we signed last month.  We will continue to work with and support all relevant authorities including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to help bring an end to the abhorrent practice of illegal wildlife trade.” 

Monitoring and assessment of important and threatened species is being undertaken by the Ministry, which helps to identify the need to listing and down listing of species as well as on import and export of certain species.

“Enhancing collaboration and national-level responses is critical to clamp down on illegal wildlife trade. While this is a global issue, it is essential that we make this a national priority.” said Ida Tillisch, Director General of EWS-WWF. “The global movement against wildlife trafficking has recently received a major boost with the signing of the historic United for Wildlife declaration. As a regional transport hub, the UAE has an important role to play to spur actions and strengthen current CITES implementation measures."

Alongside participation in international initiatives against illegal wildlife trafficking, the UAE’s National Biodiversity Strategy aims to develop and implement programs to improve the conservation status of the most threatened species, thus protecting wild animals from exploitation and help to bring an end to wildlife smuggling.