BAHRAIN reiterated its commitment to the preservation of wildlife and biodiversity as nations in the Gulf mark GCC Wildlife Day today.
Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) chairman and His Majesty’s Personal Representative Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa said Bahrain was committed to all environmental agreements signed with fellow GCC countries.
He said that the agreements and programmes were aimed at protecting the biodiversity in the region whilst also enhancing collective efforts to preserve the region’s natural resources.
In a statement on the occasion of GCC Wildlife Day, which is marked every year on December 30, Shaikh Abdulla praised the great attention allotted by the GCC countries to wildlife, in line with their belief in the importance of preserving wildlife and biodiversity in the region, and protecting their environments to maintain the natural balance of life.
“Co-operation among the GCC countries is critical to face environmental challenges and overcome regional obstacles that threaten wildlife and affect the prosperity of biodiversity,” he said in the statement yesterday.
“This is done through joint programmes and projects, an exchange of national experiences and support for innovation, studies and research.
“Bahrain’s environmental achievements are thanks to the vision of His Majesty King Hamad with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, through environmental legislation and ambitious national programmes and policies adopted by the government to preserve Bahrain’s natural resources and wildlife.”
Shaikh Abdulla reaffirmed the commitment of the GCC to the international community concerned with the protection of biodiversity and the Gulf region’s efforts to develop natural environments that embrace living organisms while also establishing natural reserves in terrestrial, coastal and marine environments.
He added that Bahrain recently issued Law 7 for 2022, updating environmental laws that are in line with changes in various environmental and climatic fields while keeping up with international best practices in developing sustainable development and facing new environmental challenges.
“Bahrain’s Law 27 for 2012 approved accession to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),” he added.
“There is work currently underway to issue legal regulations that enhance the efforts of Bahrain in combating trafficking of endangered species.
“The kingdom announced many natural reserves in various terrestrial and marine areas and issued red lists of endangered species while also launching species-monitoring programmes.”
Shaikh Abdulla also highlighted the licensing programme for endangered wild species that contributes to combating their smuggling and trafficking in co-operation with security services and customs at land, sea and air borders.
He also noted that the control programmes on markets as well as land and sea environments have been strengthened.
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