March 3, 2013, at 1100hrs, at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presided over and gave an opening speech at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Gist as follows:
PM Yingluck first welcomed all participants of the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES on behalf of the Thai Government and people.
The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES this time marked its second meeting held in Thailand (the first time was in 2004) which showed that the country had placed much importance on CITES and the wildlife protection campaign. PM Yingluck also congratulated CITES on its 40th anniversary and the success it had gained in the protection of endangered species of wild fauna and flora for the past 4 decades.
According to PM Yingluck, the fact that CITES CoP16 was held in Thailand once again showed confidence and trust in the country’s, as well as ASEAN’s, participation and promotion in the protection of endangered species of wild fauna and flora, and conservation of natural habitats.
PM Yingluck reiterated that endorsement and promotion on the protection of endangered species of wild fauna and flora is so important an agenda for Thailand that a National Master Plan for Wildlife Resources Conservation 2005-2014 was pushed forward with a clear goal to increase efficiency in wildlife conservation and standardize natural habitats, as well as to bring the endangered species back to their natural habitats.
Furthermore, Thailand had strong intention to conserve environmental areas that were natural habitats and ecosystem for diversified wild fauna and flora. These included Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, Huai Kha Khaeng and Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuaries which were extraordinary in their biodiversity and were declared the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. This was also in line with the Government’s policy for sustainable development and green growth.
Realizing that objectives of CITES would be achieved through international cooperation, Thailand had established ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network or ASEAN WEN during the CITES CoP13 which was held in Thailand. Much progress had been seen since the establishment of ASEAN WEN both in capacity building, and coordination of regulations.
According to PM Yingluck, it was crucial to protect ASEAN from any illegal cross-border activities particularly when the ASEAN Community is imminent. PM Yingluck hoped that wildlife protection and cooperation on the ban of international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora would become part of the ASEAN’s strategies in order to avoid any negative impact on other related issues.
PM Yingluck took this opportunity to stress an importance of “elephants”, the national animal of Thailand that had been considered the animal of the kings since the ancient times, and was once decorated the national flag and currency, and on the symbols of the Royal Thai Navy, and the Royal Thai embassies abroad even now.
Other than the fact that elephants were part of the Thai culture, they were also one of the endangered species. Thailand’s participation in the CITES was also to cooperate with other member countries to fight with the international trade of ivory. It was ashamed that Thailand was now being exploited as an illegal trade route of ivory.
The Thai Government had pushed forward measures to tackle the problem as follows:
1) The Government increases its efficiency on intelligence and collaboration with the Customs offices of other countries to alleviate the problem of ivory trade in Africa.
2) The Thai Government has tightened up its law enforcement on the restriction of domestic ivory products, and exploitation of elephants as vehicles. Other than integrated scheme of law enforcement, registration of domestic elephants and ivory products are also under serious consideration in order to suppress illegal trade of ivory.
3) The next step would be the revision of laws with an aim to enforce ban on trade of ivory products as an international practice.
PM Yingluck reiterated the importance of elephants to the people of Thailand who would naturally be willing to fight for international trade of elephants. International cooperation through CITES was an essential mechanism to protection of endangered species of wild fauna and flora which was an ultimate goal of the people who gathered here. She expressed her sincere hope that the meeting would be a successful one.