2026/005: CMS COP15: Time Management

The CMS Secretariat is pleased to share additional information in preparation for the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (COP15). 

Annotated agenda

To help participants prepare for the meeting, the Secretariat has published the Provisional Annotated Agenda and Meeting Schedule (UNEP/CMS/COP15/Doc.3.2). 

Time management

Due to the significant growth in scope and complexity of CMS COP agenda, the Secretariat would like to propose the following measures for the sake of time efficiency to allocate time for the discussion of all agenda items:

1. Introduction of items

For proposals to amend the Appendices, proponents are strongly encouraged to keep the introduction to 5 minutes and to focus on key information in the supporting statement relating to the criteria, as well as any additional relevant information.

For working documents, it is strongly encouraged to keep the introduction to 3 minutes, focusing on the recommendations. 

2. Time limit for interventions

To ensure efficient discussions, interventions must be concise and focus on the essential points. Speaking time will generally be limited to 3 minutes for Parties and to 2 minutes for observers. 

To adhere to the time limits observer organizations, such as international and national organization and bodies, academia, youth, indigenous peoples and local communities, are encouraged to collaborate with others and deliver consolidated interventions whenever feasible. 

Reports under agenda items 7 to 11 may be delivered orally during the opening session, subject to time limitations, and, if preferred, may also be submitted in writing for publication in English. Any written reports should be submitted to the Secretariat as soon as possible.

The Secretariat further suggests that statements under agenda item 10.1 be delivered by regional groups, rather than by individual Parties, where possible. Parties are therefore invited to coordinate within their respective regional groups should a regional statement be delivered.

It would assist the interpreters and report writers if interventions were submitted beforehand, by sending an email to [email protected]  with the agenda item number and title in the subject line. 

3. Changes to the schedule of the meeting

The Bureau may decide to adjust the sequence of agenda items on the spot for the current or subsequent session or day, considering the flow of discussions, remaining time, and other factors. If needed, such decisions may also be made on the spot by the COP and COW Chairs. As a result, some agenda items may be taken up earlier or later than indicated in the annotated agenda. Parties are kindly requested to be prepared to discuss the agenda items as they arise.