Akram Eissa Darwich

Since Akram joined IFAW in 2013, he has been leading the DISRUPT trainings in the MENA region to combat wildlife trafficking and Education programme, while also building and strengthening relations with the local authorities, governments and NGOs to reach our global objectives and implement them on a national level. Over the years, Akram has been involved in many different international forumslike; CITES, CBD and CMS. Therefore, Akram's knowledge and experience has been substantial in lobbying practices to promote proposals that IFAW considers a priority in the Middle East and North Africa.

Prior to joining IFAW, Akram worked (19 years) at the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs in Syria as a Director of Biodiversity and Protect Areas Department, making sure (as a Focal Point) the conventions (CBD, CITES and CMS conventions and its agreements like AEWA and ACCOBAMS) the country has signed to are implemented and followed-up on. Also he was a national coordinator for some international projects supported by Global Environmental Fund (GEF)and UNDP, He was also working on a part-time basis with IFAW as a DISRUPT trainer to train the participants concerned on the proper methods to implement CITES and identify the species that are commonly trafficked in the region.