UAE

UAE to destroy over 10 tonnes of illegal ivory

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Amir Aib

The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water, in collaboration with Dubai Municipality, is set to destroy more than 10 tonnes of illegal ivory which was seized over the years from smugglers of illegal shipments through UAE borders, due to its geographical location and strategic air and sea traffic movements through its territory.

The ivory crushing will be the first in the GCC and Middle East aimed at combating the illegal trade of wildlife products and addressing the challenges that threaten the survival of elephants and prevent their extinction, which would lead to ecological and wildlife imbalance.

The ivory has been seized and confiscated in collaboration with different customs points in the country and the Ministry of Interior, which reflects the UAE’s extensive efforts in fighting illicit trafficking in ivory and wildlife, the Ministry said in a press release.

“The move demonstrates zero tolerance for any form of such illegal shipments across UAE borders and is in line with the country’s commitment to the international recommendations and decisions issued by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, which the UAE joined in 1990,” the statement added.

“This historic event exhibits the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water’s keenness, along with all its partners in the country, to address this environmental hazard and deliver a clear message to the international community about the seriousness of the situation. There is the need to unite to support the efforts to limit the spread of this trade that will lead to the extinction of the elephant species from the world and directly affect its biodiversity,” the statement went on.

“The ivory crushing will send a strong message to the international community that the UAE is very strict with regard to illegal trade in ivory and elephant products and will continue its pursuit to preserve the most threatened and endangered species and promote environmental sustainability,” it concluded.

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