Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 17th July 2023 - Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, witnessed the third meeting of signatories to the Raptors MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) for the conservation of migratory birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). Under the theme "Working Together for the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey," the meeting aimed to exchange expertise, knowledge, and best practices to address critical challenges facing these birds and ensure their long-term survival. It also aimed to strengthen commitments to halt the decline of globally endangered raptor populations.

World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated by people across the world on Saturday, 10 October with the theme “Birds Connect Our World”.  The theme highlights the importance of conserving and restoring the ecological connectivity and integrity of ecosystems that support the natural movements of migratory birds and that are essential for their survival and well-being.

Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) have extended their decade -long partnership, protecting Dugongs, African-Eurasian birds of prey and other migratory animals of regional importance. Established in the United Arab Emirates’ capital in 2009, CMS Office — Abu Dhabi is the only regional hub for the Convention outside its headquarters in Bonn, Germany. With the extension of the partnership agreement, CMS Office — Abu Dhabi will continue its UAE operations for another four years.

An International Action Plan for vultures is being developed at an expert meeting convened by the Coordinating Unit of the Raptors MoU under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) in from 16 to 19 February in Toledo, Spain. The plan aims to prevent the further decline of vultures which are nature’s primary scavengers, providing indispensable ecological services as carrion feeders and disposers of disease-carrying carcasses.