ifaw signs MoU with KSA National Center for Wildlife to preserve wildlife

(Riyadh – 21 December 2022) – IFAW and the National Center for Wildlife Development (NCW) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on 21 December at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Riyadh, ‎to formalize their shared goals to tackle the rising threats preventions and their mitigations to protect wildlife.

Through this agreement, we hope to strengthen the cooperation between IFAW and NCW and work together to address the challenges affecting animals and people.

The agreement, which will be in place initially for three extendable years, focuses on capacity building to combat illegal wildlife trade and to limit and reduce the demand for and change behaviours around wildlife pet ownership. The agreement will also support the rescue, rehabilitation and, where possible, release of treated and rehabilitated injured wild animals into their natural habitats.

Azzedine Downes, the CEO & President at IFAW mentions, “collaborations between key governmental stakeholders and international organizations are critical to reflect the necessary perceptible change we need on ground”, he continues, “and this collaboration will help turn plans into a reality which IFAW is committed to— improving the reality of animals, people and ultimately our planet as whole.”

Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the NCW, said: “Our partnership with IFAW aligns with the objectives of the national programs for protecting and reintroducing endangered local species back into their natural ecosystems, one of the Saudi Green Initiatives. The partnership with IFAW translates the efforts to protect wildlife which was recently updated through national legislation for wildlife protection in order to combat illegal activities and minimize threats to wild animals.”

The NCW work hand-in-hand with different law enforcement entities closely, where a recently established environment police force dedicated to protect the enforcement of wildlife protection, which IFAW intends to support its development as part of this agreement specifically concerning building the capacity of the staff to combat wildlife trafficking. This new force will take legal action towards illegal ownership of wild animals in compliance with national laws and commitments to international conventions to protect wildlife, such as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

In 1978, Saudi Arabia began establishing natural reserves for the protection of natural habitats, flora and fauna. Currently, the NCW manages 15 Protected Areas. Habitat loss has been, and remains, a challenge for many countries, but Saudi Arabia is determined to take the lead in paving the way towards preserving animal species from similar rising threats. IFAW applauds these efforts and is keen to supporting them, as to ensure a future where we all thrive— animals must have safe places that can be considered as home and wildlife will face a plethora of threats and risks without it.

ENDS

Press Contacts:

Dubai
Kinda Jabi
Communications Manager
e: kjabi@ifaw.org

Picture editors: High resolution professional images available on request.

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) - IFAW is a global non-profit helping animal and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org

About NCW (National Center for Wildlife Development) – NCW is in-charge of developing and implementing plans to address the threats to terrestrial and marine wildlife by rehabilitating endangered species and restoring thier natural habitats and ecosystems to fulfil it’s vision “flourishing and sustaining wildlife biodiversity and terrestrial and marine ecosystems.” The mandate of NCW aims to stabilize the environmental equilibrium through sustainably protecting and developing wildlife and biodiversity in terrestrial, coastal, and marine environments. Another dimension aims to establish and manage protected areas and threatened species reproductive centers. The results of such leads to restoration those endangered species in their natural habitats. Also, NCW aims to build a knowledge base leadership on wildlife and biodiversity to relevant stakeholder for the Kingdom through field surveys, specialized studies, and wildlife databases. This thrusts to raise awareness on wildlife across communities through outreach, cultural and media programs. Antecedently, NCW promotes economic diversification by contributing to the development of sustainable ecotourism and the utilization of genetic resources and ecosystem services. Finally, NCW facilitates cutting edge research and innovation in wildlife conservation by engaging with local and international universities and research centers.