Abu Dhabi, 2 November 2011 – The Interim Coordinating Unit for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia welcomed a new Programme Officer this week as Mr Nick P. Williams joined the UNEP/CMS Office in Abu Dhabi.                                             

Nick has held a lifelong interest in birds, particularly raptors. Whilst still at school, he began voluntary fieldwork with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and other non-governmental conservation organizations. He has travelled extensively to study raptors in over 50 countries and has gained practical field experience of a wide range of species. Nick is a qualified bird ringer and has published a range of scientific research papers, mostly related to birds.

In 1997, Nick achieved a Master of Science Degree in Ecology and Management of the Natural Environment at the University of Bristol, having previously been awarded an Advanced Diploma in Raptor Biology by the University of Kent at Canterbury. For 15 years he held the post of Chief Wildlife Inspector within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK).

Nick is no stranger to the Birds of Prey MoU. In April 2003, on his own initiative he developed the original draft proposal that was later adopted as Resolution 3 at the 6th World Conference on Birds of Prey and Owls held in Budapest, Hungary. Subsequently, Nick supported the UK-led study to consider the feasibility of an African-Eurasian agreement on migratory birds of prey under the auspices of CMS. He presented the results of the study to the 13th meeting of the CMS Scientific Council and spoke at the final plenary session of the 8th CMS Conference of the Parties from which Recommendation 8.12 emerged. His involvement continued until the Scotland meeting to identify and elaborate an option for international cooperation on African-Eurasian migratory raptors under CMS, in 2007. For the last few years he has been managing projects within the UK's Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency.