UAE ministry to spread awareness on trafficking of ivory

In line with the efforts to achieve its vision and ensure a sustainable living environment, the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water will commence an educational awareness campaign titled ‘Illegal Trading of Ivory' from August 2 to 13 at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The drive organised in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Customs and the International Fund For Animal Welfare (IFAW), aims to educate the travellers about illegal trafficking of ivory and make them aware about the legal requirements of ivory trade.

The campaign is being held in response to the increasing seizures and confiscation of products, including animals, plants, ivory, leather, wood and sandalwood, among others. It will help the UAE to achieve its goals of providing vital security and protection from diseases and pests while fulfilling its commitment to international conventions. The country has impounded over 474 horns of Ivory, one of the largest amounts of ivory between 2012 and 2013.

The Ministry has destroyed in April 2015 more than 10 tonnes of raw and wrought ivory, which was confiscated over the years as part of the UAE's efforts to combat illicit trade of endangered wildlife species.

Aisha Al-Abdouli, Director of Awareness and Education Department in the Ministry of Environment and Water, said, "The Ministry is keen to launch a purposeful awareness campaigns to increase education on biodiversity, including the habitat of indigenous species and protected areas. This comes within the framework of the implementation of the national strategy to raise public environmental awareness and education, which has been certified this year and serve the strategic objective of strengthening the community's commitment to achieve sustainability and preserve the environment. Throughout the campaign, samples of ivory that were confiscated previously will be displayed to educate travellers about the importance of wildlife and the risks the elephants are facing. In addition, educational leaflets prepared by the Ministry in cooperation with the IFAW will be distributed."