4 September 2012: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat has announced that Bahrain has ratified CITES and thus become its 176th Party. Bahrain is home to over 40 species listed in the CITES Appendices. The accession will enable Bahrain to ensure that international trade in CITES-listed species remains legal, sustainable and traceable.

The ratification occurred on 23 August 2012, based on Law No. (27), 2012, enacted to confirm its accession to the Convention. The Convention will enter into force for Bahrain 90 days after the deposit of its instrument of accession, on 17 November 2012.

Even before acceding to CITES, Bahrain had been implementing CITES regulations on a voluntary basis, according to comments by Adel Al-Zayani, Director General of the Environment and Wildlife Protection at the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment & Wildlife, Kingdom of Bahrain. Al-Zayani highlighted some challenges in implementation, including traditional practices, lack of public awareness on the importance of regulated international trade in endangered species and the need to build institutional capacity at a national level.

John Scanlon, CITES Secretary-General, emphasized that Bahrain’s commitment to ensuring the survival of species in the wild will be reinforced by its decision to join CITES.

The Secretariat said at least five States not yet Party to CITES are currently considering adhering to the Convention, and that their joining would make CITES a Convention with near-universal membership. [CITES Press Release] [About Bahrain]