UAE participates in 2nd Meeting of Signatories to Raptors MoU

UAE, October 26, 2015 - The UAE recently participated in the Second Meeting of Signatories (MOS2) to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MoU) held in Trondheim, Norway. Delegates from the Ministry of Environment and Water took part in the meeting along with representatives of non-government organizations and other groups involved in the preservation of birds of prey from 53 countries.   

The country’s participation is in accordance with UAE Vision 2021’s national goal of protecting migratory birds of prey. It also comes in line with the government’s ‘National Strategy for Biodiversity’ which promotes local support for international biodiversity conservation efforts and adoption of initiatives and programs for the protection of endangered species.  The gathering is considered one of the most important international meetings for the conservation of birds of prey in Asia, Africa and Europe.   

Participants discussed several pressing issues affecting endangered raptor species such as illegal hunting and trade, power lines and wind turbines built in major bird migration routes, and the sharp decline of eagles in Africa. The UAE’s membership in the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee was also announced during the meeting. Participants also welcomed the country’s continued support for the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Office – Abu Dhabi.

In 2008, the UAE signed the Raptors MoU - developed to build cooperative measures for the protection of birds of prey in Asia, Europe and Africa - to preserve endemic species such as hawks that are culturally and historically important to the state.