Facts and Figures
Emirates Falconers’ Club : A History of Achievements
- In 2017, the founder of the Emirates Falconers’ Club , His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was elected as the honorary president of the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF), the largest and most prominent international organization in the falconry world.
- Over 90 missions were accomplished by the Emirates Falconers’ Club over 23 years.
- 36 main and subsidiary competitions have been organized during the Abu Dhabi Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, with hundreds of competitors from the UAE and across the world participating over 22 years.
- Over 2 million visitors have attended the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, organized by the Emirates Falconers’ Club since 2003.
- More than 5,000 students have trained at the Mohamed bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School since 2016.
- Around 90 countries participated in the last edition of the International Falconry Friendship Festival in 2017, represented by over 700 falconers.
- Nearly half a million people visit the Emirates Falconers’ Club platform during the Sheikh Zayed Festival annually.
- Significant development has occurred in the IAF since the Emirates Falconers’ Club took over its presidency in 2018 (having been vice president since 2014). The federation now has 150 organizations, associations, and clubs from 90 countries with over 100,000 falconers.
- The Emirates Falconers’ Club participates in dozens of key cultural and heritage events inside and outside the UAE.
- The Emirates Falconers’ Club has successfully attracted exhibitors and companies from more than 70 countries to participate in the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
- Several memoranda of understanding have been signed with heritage institutions and entities in the UAE, Japan, and Russia.
- More than 100 sponsors, supporters, and partners have been attracted to the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition by the Emirates Falconers’ Club .
- 60 government and official entities have participated in the Abu Dhabi Hunting Exhibition thanks to the Emirates Falconers’ Club.
- Over 250 live shows, activities, competitions, seminars, and workshops were organized during the 2023 Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
- 5 major auctions have been held for falcons, horses, camels, art, and hunting knives.
- Over 750 lecturers and participants have taken part in seminars and workshops organized by the Emirates Falconers’ Club from 2018 to 2023 during the Abu Dhabi Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
Achievements of the Emirates Falconers Club in 2024
- Hosting the first edition of the UAE-Japan joint Falconry Camp in the Ramah area of Al Ain, with support from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and President of the Emirates Falconers Club.
- Participation in organizing the 21st edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) 2024.
- Highlighting the club’s key projects in its pavilion: the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, the Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School (the club’s leading educational initiative), the International Falconry Festival, the Arabian Saluki Center in Abu Dhabi, and the “Al Saggar” magazine.
- Showcasing the club’s initiatives at ADIHEX: the Mohamed Bin Zayed Fund for the Conservation of Birds of Prey, the Falconry Archive of the Middle East, and the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF).
- Publishing a special issue of Al Saggar magazine, featuring 25 diverse and exciting sections, containing 86 heritage, cultural, scientific, and environmental articles.
- Signing a Memorandum of Understanding for joint cooperation between the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and the Emirates Falconers’ Club, aimed at expanding cooperation in the preservation of heritage and sustainable hunting.
- The launch of the 9th season of the Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, which has attracted 5,039 students of both genders since its inception.
- The opening of the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed International Falconry Museum in Brussels, which aims to enhance the global cultural heritage of falcon hunting and explore the eternal art of life passed down through generations.
- Beginning preparations to establish the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Falconry Library, the first of its kind in the Arab world and globally.
- Starting preparations to establish the Birds of Prey Conservation Office in Abu Dhabi.
- Participation in the IROS 2024 event hosted by Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
- Participation in the second edition of the “Early Childhood Development Exhibition” at Umm Al Emarat Park.
- Participation in the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, starting November 1, 2024.
- Signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Roscongress Foundation, the official organizer of the International Falconry Day Forum, with support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation.
- Signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Council for the Conservation of Hunting and Wildlife (CIC), which includes 1,900 members from 86 countries and aims to promote sustainable wildlife and natural resource management.
- Celebrating International Falconry Day (November 16) and the 14th anniversary of the inclusion of falconry in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- Participating in the UAE’s 53rd National Day celebrations (December 2) in collaboration with several official bodies.
- Under the recent leadership of the Emirates Falconers’ Club, the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF) has witnessed significant development in its projects and expansion, with 150 institutions, societies, and clubs from 90 countries now part of the association, with more than 100,000 falconers practicing the sport.
- Launching the Emirates Falconers Club website.
Emirates Falconers Club.. 22 Years of Achievements (2001-2023)
2001
- Establishment of the Emirates Falconers’ Club.
- Establishment of the Arabian Saluki Center.
2002
- Attracting more than 2,000 falconers from the UAE and GCC countries.
- Collaborating with the Environment Agency to create a special system for registering captive-bred falcons.
- Annual participation in the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Program.
2003
- Gaining membership in the International Association for Falconry (IAF).
- Organizing the first edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
- Launching the first edition of “Al Saggar” magazine, a specialized periodical.
- Organizing the Falcon Beauty Contest at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2004
- Hosting the IAF General Assembly meeting.
- Issuing the world’s first falcon passport.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2005
- Establishing the first Falconry Archive in collaboration with the Peregrine Falcon Conservation Fund.
- Beginning the collection of documents, films, photos, and publications to support the falconry registration process.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2006
- Opening the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Museum in the United States.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
- Expanding the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital from a veterinary facility to an institution.
2007
- Participating in the first International Falconry Festival in Englefield, UK.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2008
- Organizing the sixth edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2009
- Sponsoring and organizing the second International Falconry Festival in collaboration with the British Falconry Council in Englefield.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2010
- Successful efforts to register falconry as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on UNESCO’s Representative List.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2011
- Organizing the second edition of the International Falconry Festival in Abu Dhabi.
- Hosting the annual meeting of the Peregrine Falcon Conservation Fund.
- Supervising the falconry competitions at the Al Dhafra Festival.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2012
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi Falconry Competitions.
- Supervising the falconry competitions at the Al Dhafra Festival.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2013
- Launching a program for the provision and distribution of captive-bred houbara bustards to falconers.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2014
- Organizing the third edition of the International Falconry Festival in Abu Dhabi.
- Launching the Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School.
- Signing a cooperation agreement with the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey.
- Representing the UAE as the guest of honor at the Tan Tan Festival in Morocco.
- Participating in the Al Qawasim Falconry Festival.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2015
- The UAE assumed the position of Vice President of the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey for the Middle East and North Africa region.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
2016
- Developing a falconry strategy for the Middle East and North Africa.
- Holding a workshop on the illegal trade of birds of prey.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
- Graduating the first batch of students from the Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School.
2017
- Organizing the fourth edition of the International Festival of Falconry.
- Launching the Mohamed Bin Zayed Fund for the Conservation of Birds of Prey.
- Launching the Sheikh Zayed Falconry Heritage Library.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
- Participating in organizing the “Fakhr Children” Falconry and Desert Physiognomy Camp.
- Launching a global scientific research and photography cooperation program for falconry.
2018
- The UAE wins the presidency of the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey.
- Signing a cooperation agreement with the International Houbara Conservation Fund.
- Supporting local and international regulations to combat illegal hunting.
- Enhancing the program for conserving houbara bustards and emphasizing their importance.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
- Participating in organizing the “Fakhr Children” Falconry and Desert Physiognomy Camp.
2019
- Organizing the second International Conference on the Illegal Trade of Birds of Prey in Abu Dhabi.
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
- Developing a global falconry strategy in collaboration with the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey.
- Participating in organizing a new edition of the “Fakhr Children” Camp in collaboration with the Martyrs’ Families Affairs Office.
2020
- Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the registration of falconry on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with the number of participating countries rising to 22.
- Holding the IAF Board of Members meeting virtually.
- Actively participating in the Sheikh Zayed Festival 2020-2021.
2021
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2021.
- Participating in organizing the “Future of Falconry” conference in collaboration with UNESCO and the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF).
- Re-electing H.E. Majed Ali Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Emirates Falconers Club, as President of the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey, by unanimous vote for a new 3-year term starting in 2022.
- Distinct participation in the Sheikh Zayed Festival 2021-2022.
- Six new countries joined the UNESCO falconry registration file, including Croatia, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia, bringing the total to 24 countries—the largest intangible heritage file in UNESCO’s history.
2022
- Organizing the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2022.
- Exceeding expectations with the success of the falcon auction organized by the Emirates Falconers Club, one of the most popular events at the Abu Dhabi Hunting Exhibition.
- A major success in the specialized competitions held by the club during the Abu Dhabi Hunting Exhibition, including the Most Beautiful Falcon Hood and Best Falconry Invention contests.
- Organizing the “Role of Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples in Enhancing the Link Between Intangible Cultural Heritage and Wildlife Conservation” conference in collaboration with UNESCO, the International Association for Falconry, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
- Celebrating International Falconry Day on November 16 (12th anniversary of falconry’s UNESCO registration).
- During the founding meeting of the International Falconry Sports and Racing Federation, the Emirates Falconers’ Club honored the winners of the UAE Falconry Federation Cup in Dubai.
- In collaboration with the Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, the Martyrs’ Families Affairs Office launched the “Fakhr Children” Camp.
- The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi announced the activation of the instant service for issuing falconry licenses via the unified digital services platform “Tam.”
- Active participation by the Emirates Falconers’ Club in the Sheikh Zayed Festival, aiming to introduce the core values of authentic Emirati traditions, especially falconry and Arabian Saluki heritage.
2023
- Signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Japanese “Inpex” company to enhance and support programs for friendship, student exchange, and cultural cooperation between Emirati and Japanese falconers.
- Organizing the 20th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2023 with unprecedented participation and events, the largest in the exhibition’s history.
- Launching new competitions in falconry, hoods, nest boxes, and falconry bags.
- Signing an agreement during the exhibition outlining work plans and mechanisms to follow up on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Emirates Falconers’ Club and the Japanese “Inpex” company.
- Organizing the “Sustainability of Falconry… Addressing 21st Century Challenges” conference in collaboration with the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey.
- Organizing the “The Role of the Media in Preserving Falconry and Intangible Cultural Heritage” conference.
- Participating in the Sheikh Zayed Festival.