UAE's MoEW signs MoU with ESAW & Emirates Park Zoo to promote animal protection

ABU DHABI- The Ministry of Environment and Water has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Emirates Society for Animal Welfare (ESAW) and the Emirates Park Zoo to pave the way for joint projects aimed at raising public awareness on animal welfare.

The MoU signing happened during the ministry’s participation at ADIHEX 2014, which took place from Wednesday 10^th – Saturday 13^th, September 2014. This move complements the ministry’s intensified efforts to defend and preserve animal rights as well as promote their humane treatment through awareness campaigns.

Part of the ministry’s initiatives is to inform the public about laws governing animal welfare in the UAE, which falls is in line with the ministry’s directives to heighten environment protection awareness in order to promote sustainability.

The agreement was signed by H.E. Eng. Saif Al Shara, Assistant Undersecretary of Agricultural affairs and Animal Sector, Ministry of Environment and Water; H.E. Rashid Salem Al Noaimi, Vice President, Emirates Society for Animal Welfare; and Mr. Nasser Al Nuaimi, Owner and Founder of the Emirates Park Zoo.

Under the terms of agreement, the parties involved will collaborate on spreading a culture of animal welfare protection in society. It covers the preservation of animal rights as well as the provision of food, proper care, and a clean and comfortable living environment.

To achieve these goals, the three organizations will hold awareness seminars and joint workshops, conduct scientific researches, and distribute educational materials regarding proper animal care. Campaigns for raising public awareness on existing laws governing animal welfare in the country will also be conducted.

In addition, the agreement states that the three parties, along with concerned local authorities, will regularly hold conferences to share their experiences and exchange ideas to ensure animal protection.

The ministry assured that it will continuously develop and implement relevant policies and strategies to attain a sustainable environment for all living creatures. The Ministry will also provide technical support, expertise and information regarding best practices to achieve the objectives of the MoU.

Furthermore, it will coordinate with relevant government and non-government agencies as well as industrial and trading entities to ensure that their services meet the highest standards of sustainability and efficiency. Training courses and educational programs with respect to animal care and shelter will be organized by the ministry as well.

For its part, ESAW will organize educational campaigns, programs, activities and exhibitions in coordination with the ministry to achieve its vision of providing a sustainable environment for all animals and uphold its mission of protecting their rights. The association will also prepare studies and extensive researches to improve public knowledge about the proper handling of animals as well as to develop their skills.

The Emirates Park Zoo, meanwhile, will provide shelter and food to abandoned and stray animals. To protect the animals from diseases, veterinary care such as vaccination will be extended to them. The Zoo will also set up an isolation center for animals afflicted with infectious diseases to prevent an epidemic. In terms of selling pets, the Zoo will observe all regulations and technical specifications implemented by the UAE Government.

ESAW, as a voluntary association, defends and raises public awareness on animal rights as part of its efforts to promote environmental protection and animal preservation. The Emirates Park Zoo, on the other hand, was established to care for various animal species and provide a comfortable living environment for them. It also educates the public about these animals and their unique characteristics.