BirdLife Middle East and Central Asia Partnership

The BirdLife Middle East and Central Asia Programme is implemented by a network of BirdLife Partners and Affiliates in the region, with coordination, support and direct action provided by staff of the BirdLife Middle East and Central Asia Division.

Jordan became the first BirdLife Partner for the region and the first Representative was appointed in Yemen. In the early years BirdLife's activities concentrated in these two countries, especially Yemen because of the number of endemic species in the Highlands and on the island of Socotra.

Richard Porter was the first head of BirdLife's Middle East Division, but handed over the reigns to Adnan Budieri in 1998 when the Middle East office moved from England to Jordan. Richard is still very active in the region supporting, especially, our programme on Socotra.

The BirdLife Middle East Partnership now includes Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Qatar and Iran at different levels.

The BirdLife Middle East and Central Asia Division moved to Amman in Jordan in 1998. This regional office works with potential partners in the region, coordinates priority actions, develops and helps in fundraising for projects, pursues the Important Bird Areas programme in every country of the region and exchanges experience between the partners.