UAE joins Convention on Migratory Species, reaffirms strong commitment to international raptor and dugong conservation

ABU DHABI, 23rd May, 2016 (WAM) -- The Convention on Migratory Species, CMS, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MOCCAE, and Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, EAD, have committed themselves to advancing their cooperation to conserve migratory species of wild animals, with the UAE's recent accession to CMS as its 123rd member state, and the extension of the long-standing financial and in-kind support of CMS Office - Abu Dhabi by EAD on behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi Emirate The accession of UAE to CMS reinforces the already strong links between the country and the CMS family. The UAE has been a key partner in developing and supporting CMS agreements on migratory birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MoU) and dugongs (Dugong MoU). The country is also a signatory of specialised CMS agreements on migratory sharks and marine turtles. All four instruments have action plans that catalyse national-level conservation activities with the aim of coordinating these across the species' migratory paths through international cooperation. The UAE has long recognised the importance of international cooperation to conserve migratory species.

Welcoming UAE to the convention, Dr. Bradnee Chambers, Executive Secretary of CMS, said, "The accession of UAE to CMS builds on the leadership it has already been demonstrating regionally with respect to migratory species conservation. We look forward to the UAE continuing to project its leadership at a global level."

"The UAE has a rich diversity of marine and avian fauna. The country's long coastline boasts an abundance of marine wildlife such dugongs, whales, dolphins, marine turtles and sharks, and provides resting and foraging grounds for migratory birds on the Eurasian and Central Asian flyways, with migratory falcons playing an integral part of our national cultural heritage," he said.

The UAE, being a contracting party to Ramsar, CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD, recognises the importance of developing synergies in its implementation of CMS and other treaties through the UAE National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2014 - 2020.

"We, and our future generations, are defined by the environments in which we live. The conservation of our environment at a time of growth and global climate change is the bedrock of a strong and prosperous economy and society while also providing an important link to our UAE heritage. That is why we see it as one of the highest priorities on our government's agenda and we will continue to play a key part within the international efforts on issues relating to biodiversity and wildlife. Today's important announcement is an important step in this work", said Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

Since 2009, significant financial and in-kind contributions from EAD on behalf of the Government of the UAE have supported the operation of CMS Office - Abu Dhabi, which provides secretariats coordinating the Raptors and Dugong MOUs. Extending the arrangement by which the office was established in Abu Dhabi, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary-General of EAD, and Dr. Bradnee Chambers signed an agreement in Abu Dhabi and Bonn, respectively.

"The Gulf hosts the world's second largest dugong population, with the greatest numbers found in the waters off the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The UAE lies along the migratory pathway for 42 of the 93 species of African-Eurasian migratory birds of prey under the Raptors MoU, including the threatened Sooty Falcon, the endangered Saker Falcon and the Egyptian Vulture as well", Dr. Chambers said.

Al Mubarak added, "For many years we have been amassing technical expertise and data on the status of migratory and resident species populations in the UAE and using this information to develop appropriate protection and management strategies. Given the migratory nature of so many species, it is only fitting that we support other nations in the development of their conservation plans. By working together in a cohesive manner, we multiply our chances of success."

Al Mubarak continued, "The Raptors and Dugong MoUs support the conservation actions of Abu Dhabi and the entire UAE. They provide a platform for the nation to co-operate regionally with other countries that share these migratory animals as they pass through our country at different times of the year. Migratory species play an important role in the UAE's culture and heritage and are critical elements in maintaining environmental health and quality of life, while also contributing significantly to economic sectors such as fisheries and tourism."

EAD's support has enabled CMS Office - Abu Dhabi to undertake a wide range of carefully targeted activities. Major intergovernmental initiatives have included developing partnerships, holding meetings of MOU signatories, hosting expert group meetings, developing single and multi-species action plans, and leveraging multilateral finance for conservation projects in developing countries.

Lyle Glowka, Head of CMS Office - Abu Dhabi, noted that the office represents a unique collaboration between CMS and EAD to conserve migratory species for the benefit of present and future generations. "EAD and CMS share the same values. This, combined with EAD's significant investment, support and technical expertise, has been critical to our mission of promoting international cooperation across the vast range of the migratory animals we work on, and is one of the many ways the UAE has demonstrated its leadership on migratory species conservation," he said.

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, administered by the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, is the only global biodiversity-related treaty specialising in the conservation and sustainable use of a wide array of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species, their habitats and migration routes. Contracting Parties to CMS work individually and cooperatively to ensure a favourable conservation status for migratory species across their range. At present, there are 123 Parties to the Convention. The CMS Secretariat's headquarters are located in Bonn, Germany.