2023/018: Updates on CMS COP14

I am pleased to provide Parties, non-Parties, and observers with an update regarding CMS COP14, to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

While excellent progress has been made with preparations for the COP, due to unforeseen circumstances, and after consultations with the Host government, UNEP, and the UN Country Team, as well as communications and consultations with the Chairs of the CMS Standing Committee and Scientific Council, the dates of COP14 and its associated meetings and events will be changed to a date in early 2024. A possible timeframe being considered is 11 – 17 February 2024. The dates and further details regarding preparations for the COP and its associated meetings will be communicated as soon as possible.

Parties, non-Parties, and observers who have already registered for COP14 do not need to re-register. Registrations can be made through the registration website at COP14 Registration.

The deadline to submit applications for side events is extended to 30 September 2023, subject to any further updates. 

The change of dates will have a number of ramifications, in particular, the need to take interim action with respect to the COP budget approved at COP13, which expires at the end of 2023.  More details on the proposed process will be forthcoming.

The change of dates will also result in a change of the deadlines for submission and publishing of COP documents. The new deadlines will likewise be communicated once the new dates for the COP are confirmed. 

The 6th Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council is set to take place in Bonn, Germany from 18 – 21 July 2023.  The meeting is proceeding as planned, while the change of dates for the COP will allow for additional consultations, as may be decided at the meeting, on various ongoing scientific documents and related processes.

We urge you to check the COP14 webpage regularly. 

For further information, please contact the CMS Secretariat at [email protected]

With my best regards,

Amy Fraenkel

Executive Secretary