​Through social communication channels and as part of its contribution to the “Green Customs” initiative which was proclaimed in 2003 by United Nations Environment Program, Dubai Customs has recently launched a campaign to educate the community about the endangered animals and plants with the aim to combat illegal trade of environmentally harmful substances.

The campaign program includes information about the endangered animals and plants through “Facebook” and “Twitter” and highlights the potential risks associated with its extinction, along with providing periodically updated lists of imperilled animals and plants by fostering coordination with Ministry of Environment & Water and other related authorities concerned with conservation of nature & environment. Visitors of Social communication sites will have their say in taking part in survey prepared for this purpose. 

Mrs Feryal Tawakul, Executive Director of Community Affairs and Government Partnership Division at Dubai Customs, emphasized that the Department always works hard to utilize social communication sites like “Facebook” and “Twitter” to promote awareness of the community about the environment and community crucial issues, taking into account that Dubai Customs is one of the most notable government departments that gives high priority to important environmental and social issues in compliance to international initiatives and conventions in this regard especially the “Green Customs” initiative of UNEP which was launched in collaboration with a number of key partners such as WCO, Interpol and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime “UNODC”.

Mrs Feryal pointed out that smuggling of endangered animals, plants and their products is incompatible with Islamic teachings and is an activity incriminated by international legislations, including, convention of CITES ( which the UAE joined in 1990). The UAE Federal Law No. (11) of 2002 concerning Regulating and Controlling the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora prohibits exportation, transit, unloading, re-shipping, re-exporting or entry of any animal or plants or their parts or products without providing for proper arrangements and submitting needed health documents.

Mrs Tawakul said: “imperilled animals under the convention of CITES, including, their skins and taxidermies, as well trees and plants should be disclosed by passengers at airports, sea and inland ports to Dubai Customs’ inspectors; and if not declared this will be considered illegal attempt of infiltration punishable in pursuant to the law” she added “every living being is playing a complementary role in the life cycle, and its extinction will negatively affect the entire life-cycle. Many animals live on other animals and plants for their food and also many sorts of medicines extracted from plants, therefore, the importance of combating illegal dealing with the endangered animals and plants is primordially ensured by Dubai Customs and its partners”.

As part of boosting these efforts, in June 2012 Dubai Customs in coordination with Ministry of Environment and Water along with international agencies organized a workshop on the “GREEN CUSTOMS” with aim of increasing awareness about the international environment conventions, including, Basel Convention on the Trans boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Dubai Customs, in January 2009 also organized in Dubai Mall an exhibition of the seized products of the endangered animal origins. The Department had also participated in Dubai Municipality World Day Wetlands Celebration by defining and educating the community, especially, the school students importance of conserving wildlife, explaining to them the efforts led by Dubai Customs in combating smuggling of prohibited and restricted goods, including, the prohibition of importing imperilled and endangered animals and plants in compliance to international obligations while keeping pace with the UAE oriented directions with regard to the importance of conserving biodiversity ecological balance worldwide.