29 March 2012: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP)/Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Office – Abu Dhabi recently organized the first meeting of the Saker Falcon Task Force.

The meeting, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), welcomed almost 30 participants from 18 different countries, including government officials and representatives from international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It was hosted by the Interim Coordinating Unit (ICU) of the UNEP/CMS Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MoU).

The Task Force brought together range States of the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) and cooperating partners and other interested parties, to develop a coordinated Global Action Plan and agree on a Work Plan for 2012-2014, including the adoption of an international Single Species Action Plan protocol. A Report of the meeting will be issued and circulated in due course. [CMS Press Release]