Abu Dhabi,
1 November 2013 - Today the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MOU) turns five years old. The MOU was concluded in Abu Dhabi, where the Coordinating Unit of the Raptors MOU was also established thanks to the generous and ongoing voluntary contribution from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, on behalf of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

UNEP/CMS Executive Secretary Bradnee Chambers said: “The Raptors MOU is playing a key role in protecting endangered birds of prey on a global scale thanks to the support of the United Arab Emirates and other donors. We urge more countries to join the Raptors MOU to help coordinate international conservation actions for these endangered species.”

On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the CMS Raptors MOU, which came into effect on 1 November 2008, the Coordinating Unit is proud to highlight the following key achievements:

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  First Meeting of Signatories (MoS1) to the Raptors MOU - Held in Abu Dhabi in December 2012, the meeting was attended by more than 90 delegates from Signatory and non-Signatory Range States, as well as international non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations.  A report of the meeting is available online here.

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  Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) – A Fieldwork Capacity Enhancement Project, in conjunction with BirdLife Bulgaria, has just concluded.  A number of local ornithologists in North-East Africa were trained to gather critical information on the ecology of this endangered species, to support conservation efforts on its wintering grounds.

"The Saker Falcon Task Force is one the many excellent examples of how the Raptors MOU has already proved immensely valuable in offering a mechanism to bring together representatives of governments, NGOs and other stakeholders, to develop conservation solutions to address the many and increasing challenges that threaten migratory raptors," said Nick Williams, Head of the Coordinating Unit of the Raptors MOU.

As the CMS Raptors MOU begins its 6th year of operation, the Coordinating Unit is actively planning enhanced collaboration with Signatories, Range States, Co-operating Partners and other interested parties to conserve migratory birds of prey in the African-Eurasian region.

Pictured are (left to right): Lyle Glowka (Executive Coordinator, CMS Office – Abu Dhabi);
Shaikha Al Dhaheri (Director of Biodiversity, Environment  Agency – Abu Dhabi);
Nick P. Williams (Programme Officer – Birds of Prey (Raptors), CMS Office – Abu Dhabi); and
Salim Javed, Head Ornithologist, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi).

Notes to Editors:

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) works for the conservation of a wide array of endangered migratory animals worldwide. CMS, which is administered by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is a global biodiversity convention with special expertise in the field of migratory species. At present, there are 119 Parties to the Convention. www.cms.int

The CMS Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MOU) is administered by a Coordinating Unit based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Raptors MOU came into effect on 1 November 2008 and has 45 Signatories (44 countries and the European Union) and 3 Cooperating Partners. It covers 76 species and extends to over 132 Range States and territories in the African-Eurasian Region. www.cms.int/species/raptors

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For more information please contact:

Nick P. Williams, Coordinating Unit, Raptors MOU, email: [email protected], tel: +971 50 2605 569