DUBAI: A delegation from the UAE Ministry of Environment & Water (MOEW) visited the Dubai Customs Headquarters to explore and determine an appropriate joint mechanism to act on seizures of species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which the UAE ratified in 1990.
From Dubai Customs, Policies & Legislation Division Acting Executive Director Saeed Ahmed Al Tayer, Jebel Ali Customs Centres Management Director Yousuf Al Hashemi, Customs Intelligence Director Talal Al Abdoli, Customs Cases Director Taha Al Suwaidi, andLegal Affairs Director Narmin Issa attended the meeting.
On the other side, the MOEW’s delegation comprised Dubai Zone Director Mohammed Al Zaabi and Biodiversity Department Director Ahmed Al Hashmi.
Al Tayer emphasised the importance of cooperation between Dubai Customs and MOEW in implementing the CITES. He said Dubai Customs is committed to adhering to the convention by restricting any export or import activities of CITES-listed species to cases that satisfy the required certificates.
The two sides particularly discussed the process whereby confiscated ivory and red sandalwood are to be handled.
“The MOEW is the authority tasked with implementing the CITES regulations in the UAE, which has made great strides in implementing the convention,” said Mohammed Al Zaabi adding that Dubai Customs is one of the most compliant customs administrations on this matter both locally and regionally.
In 2012, Dubai Customs inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Environment and Water to boost cooperation, and streamline the exchange of information and expertise. Dubai Custom has also launched many campaigns jointly with the ministry to educate the public on endangered species and how to protect them.
