Abu Dhabi: The UAE has affirmed its continued support for all international efforts against the illegal trade in wildlife.
The UAE said it is fighting illegal wildlife trafficking in an effort to preserve biodiversity and stop it from being exploited by people.
Stemming the illegal tide will guard against continued risk of extinction of rare species.
Dr Shaikha Salem Al Daheri, Executive Director of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), and Ahmad Al Hashemi, Director of the Biodiversity Department at the Ministry of Environment and Water, who represented the UAE at the second Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade in Kasane, Botswana also said that the UAE is steadfast in dedicating time and efforts to environmental issues, in line with the directives of the UAE’s founding father, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to preserve the environment and sustain its resources.
The conference showcased the initial efforts carried out after the recommendations made at the London Conference, which included decreasing the demand for products from endangered species and strengthening the execution of legislative infrastructure. Attendees reasserted the importance of implementing the London conference endorsements and involving the private sector in supporting scientific research on the issue.
The participation of the UAE comes as part of the commitment it made in the first conference to combat the illegal trade of wildlife.
“We are committed to the international conventions and agreements, especially CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). We, as a state, are doubling our efforts to enforce these laws by encouraging international policies and legislations to set regulations that will close loopholes that might be used by criminal organisations to trade illegally in wildlife,” said Shaikha.
“The UAE is working on finding the best solutions to properly handle seized endangered species found within the country. We are working on updating our laws and legislation with regards to the illicit trade of wildlife,” said Al Hashemi.
Aside from the conference, the UAE delegation also met Elizabeth Truss, UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who commended the UAE on its efforts to implement the London conference recommendations.
The Ministry of Environment and Water has carried out many awareness campaigns against the illegal trade in wildlife, as well as running training programmes in collaboration with other competent authorities on legislation governing illegal trade at the national level.
Also attending the event were Ian Khama, President of Botswana, and Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon, and several high-level ministers and decision makers from other countries. The conference was a continuation of the London Conference held on February 12, 2014.
