The First International Conference on Falconry was held in Abu Dhabi in 1976 under the patronage of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace. He spearheaded the first global initiatives to preserve falconry as an important part of the cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, and the world.
Through the conference, falconry enthusiasts paved the way for decades of sustained efforts and initiatives at both regional and international levels. These efforts culminated in the inscription of falconry as a living human heritage on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.
The Emirates Falconers’ Club has been committed to reviving the International Festival of Falconry, organizing three editions in 2011, 2014, and 2017.