3 September 2024
Minister of
Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the
of the Falcon Day International Forum Organizing Committee Alexander Kozlov
sent greetings to the Forum participants, which will be held in Vladivostok on
3 September, the opening day of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) 2024.
Russia plays
a key role in preserving the planet’s biological diversity, he said. It is home
to the world’s largest network of specially protected areas. More than 76
million hectares of Russian land have this status at the federal level alone,
he said.
“We have
lots of experience to share in terms of preserving populations of rare animal
species. One striking example of international cooperation is the protection of
the Amur tiger. Today, at least 750 Amur tigers live in the Far East, and we
have created the ‘Land of Big Cats’ transboundary reserve together with China. Nature
knows no borders, and today it is crucial for different countries to join
efforts to preserve rare birds of prey from the falcon family, particularly the
gyrfalcon, saker falcon, and peregrine falcon,” he said.
Kozlov noted
that at the first Falcon Day Forum last year, Russia signed a framework
declaration of intent with China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and the
United Arab Emirates to preserve the gyrfalcon population. Bahrain acceded to
the declaration earlier this year.
“At the
second Falcon Day Forum, scientists from different countries as well as
government and business representatives will discuss such key issues as the
development of nurseries and reproduction centres, and how to preserve food
supplies. I hope that this year new countries where these birds of prey live
will join the common desire to preserve falcons,” he said.