Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity and Ahmed Al Hashmi, Director of the Biodiversity Department, represented the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water during the 2nd Kasane Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade in Botswana. Also attending the event were Ian Khama, the President of Botswana, and Ali Bongo Ondimba, the 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 on the Illegal Trade in Wildlife'. The participation of the UAE comes as part of the commitment it made in the first conference to battle the illegal trade of wildlife.
The conference showcased the initial efforts carried out after the recommendations in London, which included decreasing the demand for products from endangered species and strengthening the execution of legislative infrastructure. Attendees reasserted the importance of implementing London endorsements and involving the private sector in supporting scientific research on the issue.
Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri stated in her presentation that the UAE is steadfast in dedicating time and efforts towards environmental issues, in line with the directive of the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, God rest his soul, to preserve the environment and respect and sustain its resources. The country continues to support all international efforts against the illegal sale of wild life, in an effort to preserve the biodiversity being exploited by human beings which poses the danger of leading to the extinction of rare animals.
Dr. Al Dhaheri, said: “We are committed to observing international treaties and agreements, especially CITES (the 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 organizations to trade illegally.”
Ahmed Al Hashmi, said: “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 sale of wildlife products.”
Aside from the conference, the UAE delegation also met with the British Minister of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who commended the nation on its efforts to implement the London conference recommendations.
The Ministry of Environment and Water has carried out many notable awareness campaigns against the unlawful trading of wildlife, as well as training programs in collaboration with other specialized governmental bodies on legislation governing illegal trade.