2025/014: CMS COP15 Dates and Venue, Deadlines and Guidance for Document Submission

The CMS Secretariat is pleased to announce the dates and venue of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15).

COP15 will take place from 23 to 29 March 2026 in Campo Grande, Brazil. Additional related meetings, including a meeting of the Standing Committee, will take place on 22 March 2026. You can find more information on the press release issued jointly with the Government of Brazil here.

We would like to remind Parties of the deadlines for the submission of documents for COP15:

• National Reports – Wednesday, 24 September 2025
• Proposals to amend CMS appendices – Friday, 24 October 2025
• Documents with a scientific component – Friday, 24 October 2025
• Documents without a scientific component – Tuesday, 23 December 2025

These are the deadlines for the posting of documents in the three official languages on the meeting webpage:

• Proposals to amend CMS appendices – Sunday, 23 November 2025
• Documents with a scientific component – Sunday, 23 November 2025
• Documents without a scientific component – Thursday, 22 January 2026

A detailed timeline for COP15 documents is available in Annex I. Parties are requested to submit all documents to the Secretariat at [email protected], by the stated deadlines.

National Reports 

Customized online templates are available for all Parties in the CMS Online Reporting System (ORS). Login details and a link to the ORS have been sent to all CMS National Focal Point by e-mail.  If the email message has not been received, first check the SPAM folder and, should the communication not be found, alert the Secretariat promptly for assistance at [email protected].

Guidance on the preparation of COP Documents

When drafting documents for the consideration of COP15, Parties are requested to follow the template and guidance notes prepared by the Secretariat available on the meeting webpage. 

1. Guidance on Drafting Documents, Resolutions and Decisions

2. Guidance on Drafting Proposals for the Amendment of the Appendices  

3. Guidance on Proposals for Concerted Action

4. Guidance on the Reporting on the Implementation of Concerted Actions

5. Guidance on Range State Consultation in the Development of Listing Proposals

Further information on COP15 including registration and travel arrangements for funded delegates will be forthcoming.

For further information on COP15 arrangements, document timelines and related matters, please contact, Ms María José Ortiz, Legal Officer, [email protected]

For further information on listing proposals and scientific documents, please contact Ms Dagmar Zikova, Scientific Advisor [email protected].