April 2009 - More than 50 experts and government representatives of 8 European and 8 Asian countries came together at a workshop in Abu Dhabi to agree on first steps towards conserving the Saker Falcon. The meeting took place 5-7 April and was hosted by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi.

At the meeting, delegates discussed the principles of sustainable use and management of the species, its population status, threats and conservation measures through captive breeding, artificial nests, reintroduction and satellite tracking. H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, reported on current efforts of the United Arab Emirates to protect and conserve the Saker falcon as an emblematic species strongly linked to the culture and traditions in the Arab region.

The workshop was convened as a result of CMS Resolution 9.20 and with the objective of considering the status and conservation needs of the Saker Falcon. In order to cover gaps in knowledge, people in the range states need to be educated and informed about the urgent need to use wild Saker Falcons sustainably. In order to get a better picture of how many falconers are using the bird in this region, their numbers need to be quantified along with the population of the species. Delegates recommended that this information should be submitted to relevant institutions to better assess the conservation status of the Saker Falcon. The establishment of falconry associations in Arab nations would serve this aim.

Participants agreed that decision makers, conservation bodies, scientists and local communities should implement conservation activities under the umbrella of the existing CMS agreement on birds of prey. They also supported the initiative by Saudi Arabia to develop a regional Action Plan together with BirdLife Middle East involving different actors in the region of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Deputy Executive Secretary Moulay Lahcen El Kabiri said: "We are aware of the urgent need to conserve the Saker Falcon including sustainable use and trade to take into account social, cultural and economic conditions as well CITES and CMS obligations by the Range States."

The CMS agreement on the conservation of migratory birds of prey seeks to reconcile conservation measures including sustainable use and trade with the social, cultural and economic needs of the people in the region. It also aims at improving the conservation status of this emblematic species throughout its range, as well as the status of all endangered migratory birds of prey.