From 5-7 April 2009, conservationists and saker falcon biologists from around the world will descend on Abu Dhabi to discuss the conservation status of the Saker Falcon and propose a way forward to effectively conserve the species.
The Saker Falcon is listed as Endangered by the World Conservation Union and is threatened worldwide by habitat loss, hunting and trapping for falconry, loss of prey, electrocution and poisoning.
The meeting, hosted by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, is a follow-up of a resolution passed during the Meeting of Parties (MOP) of UNEP’s Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) held in Rome in 2008. The resolution urged countries to discuss the status and conservation needs of the Saker Falcon.
The meeting will be held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of EAD and will host several international non-governmental organisations such as Bird Life International and International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey. Officials from the Convention on Migratory Species and EAD will also participate in the meeting.
“EAD is spearheading action to protect wildlife and its habitat, particularly endangered species, for the benefit of the country’s sustainable development. The more we all understand the conservation status of the Saker Falcon, the better we are able to develop a clear action plan to save it. By hosting this meeting, Abu Dhabi is once again demonstrating its commitment to work with our international partners to find the best way forward in wildlife conservation,” said Abdulnasser Al Shamsi, Director, Biodiversity Management-Terrestrial Environment Sector, EAD.
During the meeting, participants will share their concerns related to the sustainable use of the Saker Falcon and propose a way forward to effectively conserve the species, while at the same allowing sustainable use of the species to the extent possible.
Over the years, EAD has supported research on the Saker Falcon in Mongolia and other Central Asian countries.
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