CITES WORKSHOP PAVES WAY FOR FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000301 SIPDIS STATE PASS TO DOI EKILCREASE AND USTR JBUNTIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ETRD ETTC SUBJECT: CITES WORKSHOP PAVES WAY FOR FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ¶1. Summary: In cooperation with Post and with funding from the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI),the Department of Interior (DOI) organized a local and a regional workshop on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Muscat, Oman from March 16 to March 23. The workshops helped equip environmental officials with important information they need to enforce environmental policies while creating new avenues for eco-friendly tourism development and industrial and commercial expansion. End Summary. ¶2. The U.S. Department of Interior's Fish and Wild Life Service in conjunction with Embassy hosted two MEPI-funded workshops on CITES. During the first workshop held exclusively for Omani participants the week of March 15, participants reviewed CITES and discussed the challenge of protecting local species like the Arabian Oryx and sea turtles, while promoting trade and tourism. Omani officials from Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Office of the Environmental Advisor for the Royal Diwan, Royal Oman Police and Customs, and the Environment Society of Oman attended the training. ¶3. The second workshop, held the week of March 21, included participants from all over the Middle East/North Africa region including Oman. Among the topics covered were CITES authorities, permitting and reporting under the Convention, compliance and enforcement mechanisms, species identification, how to work with the CITES Secretariat, and participation in the bi-annual Conference of the Parties. ¶4. Comment: Prior to the workshop, the majority of Omani participants had very little knowledge of CITES despite working in positions that directly impact conservation compliance and enforcement measures. The workshop was a good starting point and helped build on other MEPI-DOI conservation programs and expert exchanges for the region. End Comment. GRAPPO