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The first meeting of the South-West Asia Illegal Taking of Migratory Birds Intergovernmental Task Force will take place from 28 to 29 January 2025 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This will be the first meeting of the Task Force, following the 14th Conference of the Parties of the CMS (CMS COP14) and the adoption of Resolution 11.16 (Rev. COP14) and related Decisions 14.126 to 14.129. The renewed mandate adopted at COP14 reflected a strengthened commitment to tackling the growing concerns about illegal hunting, taking, and trade of migratory birds in the South-West Asia Region. 

This meeting follows on from previous meetings where preparatory work for the establishment of this task force was carried out. In October 2021, a workshop was held in Jordan to develop a roadmap to tackle illegal hunting, taking and trade in South-West Asia. At a subsequent online meeting in February 2022, an action plan for the region was developed. A third meeting took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 15 and16 January 2024. At that meeting, kindly hosted by the NCW, draft Terms of Reference for an Intergovernmental Task Force were agreed.  

This meeting aims to bring together all proposed range states (Bahrain, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) and could include other States that may have an influence on ITB in the region, including through trade or any other commercial relationship. It also aims to convene all relevant Institutions, IGOs, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders working towards addressing the threat posed by ITB in the region.  

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has generously agreed to support the launch and operations of this CMS Task Force by hosting the first meeting of the South-West Asia Illegal Taking of Migratory Birds Intergovernmental Task Force at the National Center of Wildlife.  

Objectives of the meeting   

The first official meeting of the Intergovernmental Task Force will be attended by representatives of all range states (Bahrain, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) and observers. The meeting provides an opportunity for the Task Force to:  

• Be informed about the current CMS mandates following CMS COP14, and initiatives to tackle the illegal hunting, taking and trade of migratory birds in this and other regions of the world.  
• Learn about the activities of different range states and TF observers to combat illegal taking of migratory birds in their territories. 
• Finalise and endorse the Terms of Reference for the Task Force and recommend them for adoption by the CMS Standing Committee.  
• Agree on the way forward with regards to the finalisation or improvements needed to deliver an ITB Action Plan in the region and recommend it for adoption for the next TF meeting. 
• Agree on next steps for the Task Force, including the engagement of a Coordinator.