Bonn/Abu
Dhabi, 23 October 2008 - A meeting covered
by the UN and the Government of Abu Dhabi,
UAE yesterday agreed a new agreement and
action plan. 28 countries signed the Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU), led by the Minister
of Abu Dhabi, H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin
Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water
at an international meeting in Abu Dhabi,
hosted by the United Arab Emirates. It will
enter into force on 1 November.
Negotiations on the
Mou began in Scotland, UK twelve months
ago. The Governments of the UK and the United
Arab Emirates have led the process, working
through the UNEP Convention on Migratory
Species (CMS). A new CMS coordinating unit
will now be established in Abu Dhabi to
promote and monitor the new agreement as
a UNEP initiative.
The agreement area stretches
across more than 130 countries from the
African, Afrotropical, Palaearctic and Indo-Malayan
realms. More than 70 species of migratory
birds of prey - Falconiformes, ospreys,
eagles and owls - are covered by this conservation
instrument.
More than 50% of migratory
birds of prey have a poor conservation status
as a result of habitat loss due to agriculture,
forestry, industry and fisheries, collision
with power lines, hunting and trapping for
falconry as well as poisoning throughout
their range. The Memorandum's objective
is to restore the positive conservation
status of these bird species.
The countries are committed
to protecting the bird species from illegal
killing, including poisoning and shooting
and unsustainable exploitation. An ecosystem
approach to sustainable development and
sectoral land use practices will take into
account the needs of bird conservation and
mitigate effects of habitat loss and fragmentation.
Birds of prey are important
indicators of healthy ecosystems. They are
at the end of the food chain, which makes
them highly vulnerable to environmental
changes and increased competition for food.
If they disappear from their habitat, this
is a clear sign of a disrupted ecosystem.
Protecting the Egyptian Vulture is directly
linked to human health. Vultures remove
carcasses and prevent the outbreak of epidemics.
Instead they face high mortality due to
poisoned baits meant to kill them and other
predators to protect cattle. In addition,
they suffer from reduced reproduction due
to toxic substances that accumulate in their
bodies.
The action plan foresees
more research on species ecology and migratory
behavior, patterns and routes as well as
data analysis. Collective efforts towards
monitoring and establishing reliable population
trends will reveal the impacts of threats
and necessary mitigation actions. Capacity
building and training in institutions and
local communities by developing knowledge
of birds of prey can create acceptance for
necessary conservation actions.
CMS Executive Secretary
Robert Hepworth said: "In addition
to finalising the agreement, the meeting
unanimously endorsed Abu Dhabi's offer to
host a co-ordinating unit. This is expected
to comprise 6 staff and will also cover
the CMS Dugong and part of the IOSEA Turtles
agreements.
This vital new agreement
will not only help raptors, which are at
top of the food chain, but also other "nomads
of the air" throughout their long journeys.
We expect the sharp decline of birds of
prey to stop and to see their populations
eventually recover.
"The establishment
of this tri-continental agreement for birds
of prey, with a co-ordinating unit in Abu
Dhabi, UAE, marks a new era for the Convention.
Here in the Gulf, at the crossroads of migration
and culture, we have a chance to establish
a new UN base for wildlife conservation.
The co-ordinating unit for raptors will
also promote the CMS dugong and turtles
agreements in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
We must now seize the opportunity presented
to us by the commitment and generosity of
the people of Abu Dhabi. "
Professor Colin Galbraith,
Chairman of the meeting highlighted the
real contribution that this MoU will make
to the conservation of birds of prey. He
said that joint action between countries
is needed, and that CMS is providing leadership
in talking real conservation priorities
especially to assist these iconic species.
It's truly remarkable
to see so many countries signing this milestone
agreement in Abu Dhabi and we hope that
this is just the beginning of an impressive
journey that we have started to protect
such fascinating group of birds, said Dr.
Sali Javed, Deputy Manager Bird Conservation
at the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD).
Mr. John Clorley from
the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said that "this
is an excellent outcome for the conservation
of migratory birds of prey. I am extremely
pleased that the cooperation between DEFRA
and the EAD has resulted in the acceptance
of the MoU. The offer from UAE to host the
co-ordination unit means that action to
conserve these birds can now be undertaken
across their flyways".
The UK's Department
of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is
a key partner in this initiative. Nearly
100 participants including government representatives,
delegates from range states, scientists
and NGOs attended the meeting.
Mr. Lahcen El Kabiri, Deputy Executive Secretary
UNEP/CMS Secretariat,Hermann-Ehlers- Str.
