DC World forms national taskforce to support wildlife nationally and globally

Propelled by its keen belief in supporting global efforts for protection of wildlife, Dubai Customs (DC) World took the lead in establishing a national taskforce to sustain wildlife. The new team gathers representatives from DP World, United for Wildlife - UAE, Emirates Wildlife Society in association with World Wildlife Fund and United for Wildlife partners. The venture also enjoys the support of Ports Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC).

The new taskforce members had held their first meeting at Dubai Customs Headquarters in the presence of Faisal Issa Lutfi, Executive Director of DC World and Director of External Relations at Dubai Customs.

DC World’s initiative came into realization in support of PCFC’s sustained efforts to globally advance the UAE’s status in the protection of wildlife.  This is basically achieved through the corporation’s effective participation in the United for Wildlife International Taskforce on the Transportation of Illegal Wildlife Products (The Transport Taskforce), which was established in 2014 at The Duke of Cambridge Prince William’s initiative to mobilize the global transport industry towards clamping down on illicit wildlife trade.  

Under the aegis of Prince William, the International Transport Taskforce members signed up earlier in March a series of 11 commitments addressing the illegal wildlife trade. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation was among the signers of those commitments in the presence of Faisal Issa Lutfi, Executive Director of DC World. In the wake of this pact, DC World last June took part in the United for Wildlife meeting held in London. All United for life partners in UAE were present in the meeting under the umbrella of the National Wildlife Taskforce brought together as per DC World initiative.

The convened members of the National Taskforce discussed means of cooperation and coordination amongst them with the aim of consolidating efforts in voicing out the need for wildlife protection at both national and international levels. Moreover, they affirmed the need for impactful joint activities to raise awareness on wildlife protection and tackling illegal trading of endangered species.

The taskforce members also addressed the need for capitalizing on the recent delegation of DC World to advance the Customs business across 14 Asian and African countries for better Customs controls.

“We are always keen on preserving the nature and protecting biodiversity. This approach is in line with the role UAE plays in addressing humanity causes and as an interpretation to the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in ensuring Dubai’s active participation in all community actions calling for environmental sustainability and preserving biodiversity,”  Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem commented.

Faisal Issa Lutfi, DC World chief executive, remarked that “DP World is always at the frontline of supporting the global efforts of preserving biodiversity. Likewise DC World is cascading its first-hand experience in combating the trade of illegal wildlife products on the global stage to honor the UAE’s obligations towards CITES agreement.”

Recently, and in collaboration with DP World, United for Wildlife and UNDP, DC World took the initiative to offer its expertise to countries in need for building their Customs capacities to better crack down on the smuggling of wildlife. DC World is set to deliver specialized training programs for Customs inspectors in a wide range of African and Asian nations where combatting illegal trade in wildlife still requires a stronger action.