Abu Dhabi: The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), have committed themselves to advancing their cooperation to conserve migratory species of wild animals.
The move complements the UAE’s recent accession to CMS as its 123rd member state, and the extension of the long-standing financial and in-kind support of CMS Office - Abu Dhabi by EAD on behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi.
The accession of UAE to CMS reinforces the already strong links between the country and the CMS family. The UAE has been a key partner in developing and supporting CMS agreements on migratory birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MoU) and dugongs (Dugong MoU). The country is also a signatory of specialised CMS agreements on migratory sharks and marine turtles.
Welcoming UAE joining the convention, Dr Bradnee Chambers, executive secretary of CMS, said: “The accession of UAE to CMS builds on the leadership it has already been demonstrating regionally with respect to migratory species conservation. We look forward to the UAE continuing to project its leadership at a global level.”
Chambers said that the UAE has a rich diversity of marine and avian fauna. “The country’s long coastline boasts an abundance of marine wildlife such as dugongs, whales, dolphins, marine turtles and sharks, and provides resting and foraging grounds for migratory birds on the Eurasian and Central Asian flyways, with migratory falcons playing an integral part of our national cultural heritage,” he said.
The UAE, being a contracting party to Ramsar, Cites (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, recognises the importance of developing synergies in its implementation of CMS and other treaties through the UAE National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2014-2020.
“We, and our future generations, are defined by the environments in which we live. The conservation of our environment at a time of growth and global climate change is the bedrock of a strong and prosperous economy and society while also providing an important link to our UAE heritage,” said Dr Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. “That is why we see it as one of the highest priorities on our government’s agenda and we will continue to play a key part within the international efforts on issues relating to biodiversity and wildlife. Today’s important announcement is an important step in this work,” Al Zeyoudi added.
