Oman Air Signs Buckingham Palace Declaration to Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade
London, The Gulf Observer: Oman Air has officially signed the Buckingham Palace Declaration, becoming the latest member of United for Wildlife’s Transport Taskforce, a global coalition dedicated to combating the illegal wildlife trade through coordinated action across the transport and logistics sectors.
The declaration was signed by Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Con Korfiatis during a ceremony in London marking the 10th anniversary of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce.
Founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in the United Kingdom, United for Wildlife brings together more than 400 partners worldwide to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks and protect endangered species.
As a new member of the Taskforce, Oman Air will collaborate with airlines, ports, shipping companies, freight organisations, and logistics firms to raise awareness about the scale and impact of illegal wildlife trade, promote zero-tolerance policies, and strengthen efforts in detection, intelligence sharing, and enforcement.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Korfiatis said that as the national carrier connecting Oman with destinations around the world, Oman Air recognises both its opportunity and responsibility to help prevent the trafficking of endangered wildlife through air transport.
He said the airline was proud to support the Buckingham Palace Declaration and remained committed to working alongside industry partners to strengthen global efforts against illegal wildlife trafficking.
Lord William Hague, Co-Chair of United for Wildlife, welcomed Oman Air’s participation, saying the airline’s accession to the Buckingham Palace Declaration would reinforce the aviation sector’s ability to identify and deter wildlife trafficking through closer collaboration with law enforcement agencies and conservation organisations.
He noted that as the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce marks its 10th anniversary, the addition of new signatories continues to build momentum in closing transport routes exploited by wildlife traffickers.
The signing also reflects Oman Air’s broader commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. In addition to supporting the Sultanate of Oman’s Net Zero 2050 vision, the airline is an active member of the Environmental Protection Committee led by the Civil Aviation Authority, contributing to the country’s national aviation sustainability initiatives.
