UAE celebrates World Environment Day

ABU DHABI, 5th June, 2016 (WAM) -- Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, has commended national environmental organisations for their efforts in preserving wildlife and combating all forms of its illegal trade.

In a statement released on the occasion of World Environment Day, celebrated this year under the theme, "Zero Tolerance for Illegal Wildlife Trade," Al-Zeyoudi emphasised the country's commitment, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to fighting illegal wildlife trade.

That commitment is manifested through contributing to international efforts in this area and backing related international agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, and the London Declaration on Illegal Wildlife Trade.

"After it had reached unprecedented levels in recent years, illegal wildlife trade has become one of the major concerns on the international agenda. It is a threat for biodiversity and has contributed to making several species fall under the endangered list. The size of illegal wildlife trade has reached 15 to 20 billion US$ dollars and, according to UN data, nearly 40% of global national conflicts in the last 60 years are related to natural resources," Dr. Alzeyoudi said.

He explained that the preservation of local wildlife has always been a major concern for the UAE. Several laws and regulations to protect and develop the indigenous wildlife have been put in place in the UAE since the early 1970s. These included developing the legislative and organisational procedures to protect biodiversity and wildlife, establishing more wildlife sanctuaries (well-recognised around the world for the protection of wildlife and as touristic destinations) and launching programmes for the protection of endangered animals, such as the programmes for releasing falcons, the Houbara and the Arabian oryx.

The efforts, led by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to preserve the endangered Arabian oryx, show the early national interest in preserving and protecting the indigenous wild life.

Dr. Alzeyoudi added, "Our concern regarding the preservation of wildlife has gone beyond our borders. The UAE has led a concerted effort over several years that led to the establishment of several programmes for wildlife protection and such as the Sheikh Zayed programme for the releasing of falcons, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed's programme for the releasing of the Arabian oryx, the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and the International Fund for Houbara Conservation. These programmes and funds have contributed to an increase in the number of animals that were deemed endangered and led to their return to their original habitat as well."

The UAE has put in place regulations and legal legislations that have strict penalties for those engaging in illegal wildlife trade. It has also developed its capability to detect the trade at the borders and the mechanisms to exchange information with the relevant regional and international organisations.

He said that the UAE continues to support international measures and standards that relate to wildlife protection through adding an amendment to the federal law pertaining to animal protection and the issuing a federal law regarding the ownership of wild animals.

In the end of his statement, Dr. Alzeyoudi said that biodiversity, including that of wildlife, should be considered heritage and hence must be protected. "This protection requires a concerted, organised global effort in addition to building capacities in this area, developing information exchange mechanisms between countries and related organisations and putting in place national and international policies and legislations that increase the penalty of those involved in illegal trade. It is essential to launch awareness programmes that introduce to the public the economical, social and environmental implications of illegal wildlife trade," he added.