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Community
CITE's committee praises UAE's efforts
to protect endangered species
The Standing Committee of the
Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora praised the UAE's
efforts in protecting endangered
species and cited the destruction
last year of tons of elephant ivory
seized from smugglers.
This came during the CITES
Standing Committee's 66th meeting,
held in Geneva, Switzerland.
The committee said the destruction
of the illegal raw and crafted
ivory stockpile in cooperation with
the Interpol serves as a model for
other countries.
The UAE was represented to the
meeting by the Ministry of Environment
and Water and Environment
Agency-Abu Dhabi. The
country's participation is in line
with the UAE Vision 2021 and the
national biodiversity strategy.
The UAE signed CITES in 1990
under Federal Decree No. 86 of
1989. 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.
The Geneva meeting of the world’s
wildlife trade regulator attracted
close to 500 participants from
across the globe to tackle crucial
wildlife conservation and management
issues affecting the survival
of a myriad of wild plants and
animals.
Sharjah’s newly inaugurated market is fast becoming
a tourist and economic landmark
As the tourism industry continues to drive the economic
development of Sharjah, the Souq Al Jubail vegetable, fruit
and fish market, the emirate’s latest tourism landmark attracted
over 138,000 visitors in its first two weeks of opening
in December 2015.
Inaugurated by H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al
Qasimi, Supreme Council Member the 37,000 square meter,
two-floor development was designed to cater to three
distinct functions: selling fresh fish, vegetables and fruits,
and fresh meat.
The outdoor section of the market showcases the fish while
transported directly from boats to the retail shops.
The new souq has become a destination and a landmark in
Sharjah’s economy. The Souk is more than just a beautiful
tourist attraction; it is yet another example of how effortlessly
Sharjah is developing both its tourism and business
activities into one
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