EAD Honoured With Champion Plus Awards For Conserving Migratory Species
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has recently been honoured with two Champion Plus Awards, underscoring its dedication to wildlife conservation. These prestigious awards were presented during the Fourteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in February. The accolades recognise EAD's significant contributions to the "Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa & Eurasia" and the "Conservation of Dugongs and their Habitats" for the period 2024-2027.
The Champion Plus Awards are a testament to entities that have shown exceptional support towards the initiatives under the Migratory Species Champion Programme by the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). Since its establishment in 2009, the CMS Office - Abu Dhabi, the only CMS office outside Bonn, has been instrumental in implementing conservation activities for dugongs and African-Eurasian raptors under two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed in October 2007 and October 2008 respectively. These MoUs have facilitated numerous vital local and international conservation initiatives, with the UAE being a signatory to both agreements and the Convention on Migratory Species.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, expressed deep gratitude towards the UAE’s leadership for their vision and support, which has been pivotal in achieving these awards. She highlighted that these recognitions further affirm Abu Dhabi’s leadership role in migratory species conservation. Dr. Al Dhaheri also mentioned that with 2024 being an extension of the ‘Year of Sustainability,’ it is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation. She emphasized EAD's commitment to international cooperation for conserving migratory species and continuing partnerships at local, regional, and international levels.
Since the launch of the CMS Office in Abu Dhabi over 15 years ago, there have been notable achievements under its guidance. The Raptors MoU currently boasts 64 signatories across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Meanwhile, the Dugong MoU has garnered support from 27 nations committed to conservation strategies across their territories. These efforts reflect EAD's influence beyond UAE borders.
Abu Dhabi is home to significant populations of dugongs and sea turtles, including the critically endangered hawksbill turtle. EAD has established a comprehensive research, monitoring, and management programme aimed at conserving these species and their habitats. The emirate hosts one of the largest populations of dugongs globally, with an estimated 3,000 individuals residing in Abu Dhabi waters—making it the second largest population after Australia. Through initiatives like the ‘Dugong-Seagrass Research Toolkit’ and the ‘2030 Seagrass Breakthrough’ initiative developed under the Dugongs MoU with CMS Abu Dhabi Office, EAD continues to lead effective conservation measures.
With inputs from WAM
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