In line with the directives of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Falcons Federation, a cooperation agreement was signed yesterday with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, which aims to strengthen mutual frameworks for building capacities of falcons and investing the expertise and competencies available on both sides. It shall contribute to the development of legislations related to falcons, whether bred inside the country or imported, to ensure their preservation and sustainability in the service of this sport.

Her Excellency Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri Minister of Climate Change and Environment witnessed the signing of the agreement, and Dr. Nasser Mohammed Sultan, Assistant Undersecretary for the Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector at MOCCAE signed the agreement, and on behalf of the Federation, the contract was signed by the Secretary General Rashid Mubarak Bin Markhan.

This came on the sidelines of the official visit by the Federation to the Ministry to introduce Her Excellency Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri to the activities of the Federation and the role of this sport in preserving falcons.

The meeting was attended by the members of the Board of Directors of the UAE Falcons Federation, Demithan Suwaidan Saeed Hilal Al Qamzi, Abdulaziz Sultan Al Ali Youssef Abdullah Muhammad Al Ali, Dr. Muhammad Fadlallah, and the Federation’s advisor. Eng. Mona Al Shamsi – Head of the CITES Department, Mr. Obaid Al Shamsi and Mr. Ahmed Adnan from the Administration Biodiversity were also present during the meeting.

The Secretary General of the UAE Falcons Federation stressed that this agreement comes in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, President of the Federation, and the vision of the Board of Directors to develop and enhance prospects for mutual cooperation, and coordinate efforts between the Federation and the various partners from government and private sector to contribute to achieving the desired goals of the Federation.

Rashid Mubarak Bin Markhan thanked the efforts of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to protection of environmental and natural systems and its pioneering role in developing measures to protect wildlife and falcons from the threat of extinction and facilitating the import, export, and re-export of private falcons to serve the races that have positive impact on all falconers.

On his part, Dr. Nasser Mohammed, Assistant Undersecretary for the Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector at MOCCAE, said: ” Falcons have a special status and great importance in the UAE because of their closeness to the history and heritage of the region, and the country – under the directives of our wise leadership – is keen on preserving falcons as part of its efforts to protect wildlife from extinction through initiatives, programs and activities, enactment of legislation and laws currently in force within the country, and seeking to join international agreements aimed at protecting these species from extinction, including CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Animals and Plants), and the Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals ( CMS ), which resulted in the preparation of a global action plan to protect the Saqer Falcon by maintaining the species’ survival in its areas of spread and breeding. It contributed to making the UAE the first breeding country that has become dependent on the use of falcons that are breeding it in captivity in the sport of falconry.

He added, “We are pleased to sign the agreement with the Federation to enhance efforts to preserve falcons and ensure their sustainability.” He praised the important and effective role played by the UAE Falcons Federation and its efforts in protecting these birds that are of heritage importance to the UAE.