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Ethiopia burns illegal ivory tusks, products

Xinhua, March 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Ethiopia, for the first time, eliminated about 6.1 tons of illegal tusks and ivory products during a ceremony held on Friday at Gulelle Botanic Garden in Addis Ababa, capital of the East African nation.

The illegal tusks and ivory items were intercepted over the past 30 years in different parts of the country and on transit at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

Setting ablaze the stockpile of tusks and ivory products, Demeke Mekonnen, Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister, noted that his country has been undertaking multi-faceted activities to preserve and protect its natural and wildlife resources for sustainable development in the country.

Stating that elephant is among the wildlife resources most threatened by poaching and illegal wildlife trade, the Deputy Prime Minister said today's event gives signal to illegal poaching and wildlife trafficking.

Demeke underlined the need to strengthen regional and international partnership to address the problem of poaching and illegal wildlife trading.

Speaking on the occasion, Samuel Bwalya, Country Director of the UN Development Program (UNDP), said the destruction of the illegal ivory by Ethiopia shows the country's commitment to protecting wildlife resources and combating illegal trafficking of wildlife.

"Today's event marks an issue that is close to my heart, and that of my organization, UNDP, which has remained a strong and keen partner for Ethiopia and the rest of Africa to combat the illegal trafficking of wildlife," said Bwalya.

"Ethiopia has always been at the forefront of spearheading regional initiatives and it is no difference when we come to this delicate battle, as can be seen from its leading role in the establishment of the Horn of Africa Wildlife Enforcement Network," he said.

The Country Director expressed UNDP's commitment to working with Ethiopia in preserving its unique national heritage which is the cornerstone of the country's sustainable development.

Other officials from government offices as well as from partner organizations and diplomats were speaking at the ceremony. Endi