The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Environment and Water, has participated in the 22nd Meeting of the Plants Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, which was held recently in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the 180 member states of CITES and also by representatives from non-government organisations that have expressed interest in the preservation of endangered species and the regulation of its trading.

The UAE’s participation in the event reflects the country’s continuing efforts to protect endangered plant species by monitoring and regulating trading activities related to it. The move falls in line with UAE Vision 2021 and the National Biodiversity Strategy, which aims to provide key support for international efforts to preserve biodiversity and adopt initiatives and programmes developed for preserving endangered species. The 22nd Meeting of the Plants Committee of CITES is positioned as the most important venue to discuss issues covering endangered plant species, especially the maintenance and regulations covering its trade.

The meeting saw the review of various endangered species included in the CITES Appendix of plants nearing extinction, presentation of research, studies and initiatives related to perennial trees, timber and plants, and the release of capacity building reports for CITES listed plant species. The meeting served as a strategic platform for members to present their latest findings and facilitate a smooth exchange of latest scientific information, especially in the move to identify timber species for inclusion in the CITES list.

Also discussed during the sessions were the introduction of new standards, guidelines and regulations that are for implementation, interpretation and inclusion into the convention. The event also covered the discussion of regional issues like the development of multilateral biodiversity agreements, guidelines and standards for the trading of endangered plants and their exemptions and trade provisions.

The UAE joined CITES under Federal Decree No. 86 of 1989, and signed it in 1990. Federal Law No. 11 of 2002 was also issued to guarantee the application of the convention in the country. Since then, the UAE has sought to regulate the trade in wildlife through the issuance of entry and exit certificates of these species and tightening control over transit trips.