Abu Dhabi 31 August 2025: The second day of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) 2025 concluded with a remarkable turnout, reaffirming its status as the region’s largest event dedicated to falconry, equestrianism, heritage, culture, and outdoor adventure. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, ADIHEX 2025 is organised by ADNEC Group and the Emirates Falconers’ Club, and features prominent local and international exhibitors.
The sixth ADIHEX falcon auction took place featuring elite falcon farms and prized birds in Racing and Beauty categories. Online falcon auctions will be taking place throughout ADIHEX through an advanced electronic platform, as well as the final two live falcon auctions on September 6 and 7.
The International Championship Dog show featured a diverse lineup of dogs competing across five main categories - Sheepdog, Working Dog, Terrier, Hunting dog, and Companion Dog groups. Each category showcased a wide display of stunning breeds with the participants vying to be crowned in titles such as Best in Show, Best of Breed, Best in Group, among others. This year’s Best in Show title went to the Border Collie, with the Saluki coming hot on its heels in second place and the Standard Poodle rounding out the top three.
A major announcement on day two was the launch of the second edition of the “Exchange” initiative by the Office of Weapons and Hazardous Materials, which allows Emirati citizens to exchange their automatic weapons for modern hunting firearms free of charge between 30 August and 30 November 2025. Implemented in partnership with leading national arms companies including CARACAL, Bynuna Military & Hunting Equipment Trading, RAKNA Firearms Trading Company, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, this initiative promotes safe and responsible shooting sports, broadens choices for citizens, and encourages participation in the UAE Licensed Firearms Shooting Championship, with applications processed online.
Several educational sessions, panels, presentations and workshops took place throughout ADIHEX 2025 from leading international exhibitors and unique ADIHEX features such as the Knowledge Hub.
Al Megnas Interactive Virtual Experience ADIHEX 2025
As part of ADIHEX’s exhibitor activities, the Al Megnas virtual reality experience offered visitors an innovative journey into the heart of the Emirati desert. This interactive adventure blends heritage and technology, promoting the ethics of sustainable hunting in an engaging way.
A flagship initiative of the Hunting and Reserves Affairs Programme, Al Megnas features two main stages: a live performance that realistically simulates a traditional UAE hunting journey, and a virtual reality game, where visitors of all ages compete in a vibrant 3D desert world.
Open to all, especially families and children, Al Megnas serves as both an educational and entertaining stop. It encourages a culture of Emirati-themed electronic games, connects youth with their heritage through modern technology, and inspires the next generation to enter game development, helping build a creative local industry rooted in Emirati values.
Al Megnas renews its immersive adventure, offering a contemporary experience that bridges the legacy of the past with future innovation, and reinforces authentic Emirati identity.
Knowledge Hub panels and sessions
A key highlight from the Knowledge Hub was an educational session presented by Dr. Munir Virani, CEO of the MBZ Raptor Conservation Fund. Dr. Virani discussed the Fund’s legacy and its ongoing mission to protect raptors and their habitats worldwide. Raptors are birds of prey, are distinguished by their forward-facing eyes and hook-shaped beaks. There are 557 species of raptors around the globe, however these incredible birds are facing significant threats, with one in five species currently endangered and overall populations in decline.
Dr. Virani outlined the Fund’s extensive international initiatives. The MBZ Raptor Conservation Fund operates across four continents, leading projects and collaborating with global partners. Notable projects include tracking Sooty Falcons as they migrate from Madagascar through North Africa and Saudi Arabia and working with the Philippine government to translocate 10 Philippine Eagles to support their conservation.
In addition, the Fund has partnered with the Peregrine Fund on a Polar Raptor Project, which assesses the impact of climate change on Golden Eagles in Alaska’s Arctic region, where populations could potentially decline by up to 70%. The Fund is also active in educational programs in Africa to protect falcons and supports a Long-Billed Vulture program in India focused on researching and conserving vulture populations. Dr. Virani emphasized the vital importance of these collaborative efforts to ensure the survival and protection of raptors worldwide.
The Interactive Quiz by the Jane Goodall Institute, led by Reham Zia from Educational Outreach for the Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots UAE, offered an engaging and educational experience for children. Using an online quizzing platform, participants were divided into teams and challenged with questions about chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, and the early life and groundbreaking research of Dr. Jane Goodall. The quiz also included content about the Jane Goodall Institute’s mission and impact, encouraging children to learn about wildlife conservation and the significance of zoological research.
Major Fatima Al Darmaki, Administrative Officer in the Air Navigation Department of the General Civil Aviation Authority, delivered an awareness lecture within the Knowledge Centre. In her presentation, she highlighted the Authority’s efforts to regulate and operate recreational drones in the United Arab Emirates. Al Darmaki emphasised that drone operations are subject to a strict regulatory framework that ensures a safe operating environment in line with international standards. She pointed out that the "Safe Skies" initiative aims to raise user awareness and define permitted flying zones, thereby safeguarding the safety of individuals and facilities, as well as protecting the national airspace. The lecture covered laws and guidelines related to registration and operation, the required ages and experience levels, and included a presentation of the updated map of areas where drone use is permitted. This step reflects the UAE’s commitment to the responsible use of modern technology and to fostering a culture of safety within the civil aviation sector.
Afra Khalifa Falconer delivered a unique cultural and heritage workshop that combined the art of falconry with the etiquette of Emirati majlis gatherings. This educational experience aimed to reinforce national identity values and introduce the new generation to the authentic heritage of the UAE. The workshop, held as part of the rich Knowledge Hub programme was open to all ages. Participants learned the basics of falconry, from building trust with the bird to training it to swoop on a lure, all in an interactive atmosphere that captured the spirit of traditional Emirati hunting.
The workshop also featured a heritage segment on preparing authentic Arabic coffee, where attendees were introduced to the steps of making and serving it according to the traditions of Emirati majlis gatherings, with a focus on hospitality etiquette and the customs that are considered pillars of the local community. The event received wide engagement from visitors and served as an educational and heritage platform that strengthens the connection of the younger generations to their cultural legacy in a lively and direct manner.
Mohamed Ismail, Lead Optical Astronomy Specialist at Al Sadeem Astronomy, delivered an enlightening presentation titled Guiding Lights, where he explored the role of astronomical navigation in the region. He explained how telescopes allow us to observe stars and galaxies millions of miles away. Mohamed showcased the innovative Vespera smart telescopes, which can track celestial objects across the night sky and transmit high-resolution images directly to smart devices. In addition to the technical aspects, Mohamed enriched his talk with historical stories about the significance of astronomy in navigation and culture, highlighting the connection between the stars and human exploration.
ADIHEX 2025 will continue until September 7 at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The wide range of educational sessions will continue in the Knowledge Hub, as well as entertaining cultural displays at the live Arena. Visitors can expect activations from local and international exhibitors across the 15 sectors of ADIHEX. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the ADIHEX website here.
