Message of Congratulation from WWF to President Kikwete and Thai Premier Shinawatra

Message of appreciation and congratulations to his Excellency the President of theUnited Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete and Her Excellency, MadamYingluck Shinawatra Prime Minister of Thailand. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)  –  Tanzania Country Office in conjunction with theWWF Global Network, recognizes, appreciates and congratulates H.E. the President of United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand upon signing a Memorandum of Understanding onCooperation in Wildlife Conservation and Management between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, for the mutual benefit of the peopleof the two countries and for sound management of natural resources.In particular WWF recognizes and appreciates H.E. the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, for his steadfast commitment in the fight againstIllegal Wildlife Trade in Tanzania and H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand for her recently announced intention to ban domestic ivory trade in Thailand at theopening of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP16, Bangkok, 2013) tothe Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES).Your  Excellences’ contributions form the basis for the protection and restoration of the country’s and indeed planet’s important species while also being saved from extinction. It isheartening to see such South-South Cooperation and the resolve of your respectivegovernments ’ Ministries, who are at the forefront in confronting this dangerous trade, intaking such decisive and exemplary action both on the supply and demand sides of thisatrocious illegal trade.WWF and its partner conservation organizations support you in this endeavor. Sincerely yours, Bell’Aube Houinato,  Country Director,World Wide Fund for Nature  –  Tanzania.