Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) joined United for Wildlife, led by the Duke of Cambridge and other global transport leaders in signing a historic declaration committing to the elimination of the routes exploited by illegal wildlife traffickers.

CLIA’s Andy Harmer, Vice President of Operations for CLIA Europe, joined the Duke of Cambridge and 39 other transportation organisations at Buckingham Palace as founding signatories of the Declaration of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce.
The Buckingham Palace Declaration is a landmark agreement outlining 11 commitments, developed for the tangible, significant reduction of the routes exploited by traffickers of the illegal wildlife trade as they move products from the hunting ground to the marketplace.

Leading names in global transport, including CLIA, have come together with prominent conservation organisations to reach this agreement following 12 months of work, negotiations and meetings in London, Geneva and Dubai.

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, commended the signatories: “By implementing these commitments the signatories can secure a game changer in the race against extinction. I thank them for their commitment and I invite any other company in the industry to sign up to the Buckingham Palace declaration and play their part in the fight against the poaching crisis.”

“This is a significant achievement for United for Wildlife and the leaders in the transport industry,” said CLIA’s Andy Harmer. “CLIA is proud to commit to the Buckingham Palace Declaration and do our part to break the chain between suppliers and consumers, particularly by increasing awareness among our passengers and crew about the nature, scale and consequences of the illegal wildlife trade.”

In September of 2015, CLIA joined United for Wildlife’s International Taskforce on Transportation and the Illegal Wildlife Trade, a prominent group of transportation and conservation organisations developing recommendations for how the transport industry can help shut down illegal wildlife trafficking trade routes. CLIA says it is especially honored to share the cruise industry’s perspective on reaching and educating the public and looks forward to working with its colleagues on the reduction of the illegal wildlife trade.