The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Environment and Water and Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), participated in the 66th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) held in Geneva, Switzerland from January 11 to 15, 2016. The convention gathered delegates from 77 countries, 59 semi-government organizations and 139 non-government organizations as well as 16 representatives from private parties concerned with the protection of the environment and conservation of endangered animal and plant species.
The UAE’s participation in the CITES Standing Committee’s 66th meeting is in line with its efforts to preserve endangered animal and plant species along with other wildlife to achieve the strategic objectives of UAE Vision 2021 and the National Biodiversity Strategy. The country aims to support international efforts to maintain biodiversity by adopting effective initiatives and programs to preserve the most threatened species. The gathering is among the high-profile international events organised to regulate the international trade in endangered species, combat wildlife trafficking, and provide international recommendations which will be adopted at the 17th Conference of the States Parties to the CITES set to be held in September 2016 in South Africa.
The meeting discussed crucial global issues on wildlife conservation and management related to endangered species of flora and fauna. It also shed light on the best ways to combat the illegal trade of wild plants and animals as well as effective procedures to protect African elephants, Asian big cat species, primates, sharks and genus manta species, rhinos, and aunt eaters. During the convention, the recommendations of animal and plan scientific committees were disclosed while attendees discussed the best practices to destroy confiscated illegal stockpiles, especially ivory.
The CITES Standing Committee’s Report praised the UAE's efforts in preserving endangered animal and plant species, especially in destroying over 10 tonnes of illegal ivory which was seized according to international procedures. In addition, the meeting highlighted the UAE’s success story which serves as an example for other countries on the destruction of illegal ivory stockpiles and identification of the source of smuggled ivory in cooperation with Interpol.
The UAE participated in various working groups with the goal to submit the recommendations for the protection of plant and animal species from organized international trade and eventually from extinction to the Standing Committee. These working groups include Sharks Preservation, Prevention of Illegal Trade in Wild Cheetah, Organizing Captive-Breeding Operation, and e-Permitting Systems.
The UAE became a member of CITES in 1990 under Federal Decree No. 86 of 1989. Federal Law No. 11 of 2002 was also issued to guarantee the application of the convention in the country. Since then, the UAE has sought to regulate the trade in wildlife and protect it from harm and extinction at the local, regional and international levels.