Dubai Customs and Ministry of Environment explore joint mechanism to act on seizures of CITES-listed species

Dubai Customs received at its headquarters a delegation from the UAE Ministry of Environment & Water (MOEW), 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, Saeed Ahmed Al Tayer, Acting Executive Director of Policies & Legislation Division, Yousuf Al Hashemi, Director of Jebel Ali Customs Centres Management, Talal Al Abdoli, Customs Intelligence Director, Taha Al Suwaidi, Customs Cases Director, and Narmin Issa, Legal Affairs Director, attended the meeting.
On the other side, the MOEWs delegation comprised Mohammed Al Zaabi, Director of MOEW - Dubai Zone, and Ahmed Al Hashmi, Director of Biodiversity Department.

Al Tayer emphasised the importance of cooperation between Dubai Customs and MOEW in implementing the CITES. He said Dubai Customs is committed to adhere 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 MoU with the Ministry of Environment and Water to boost cooperation, and streamline the exchange of information and expertise. DC has also launched many campaigns jointly with the ministry to educate the public on endangered species and how to protect them.