2026/008: Notification to the CMS Parties and Raptors MOU Signatories - Date, Venue, Call for Contributions and Deadlines for the Fourth Meeting of Signatories to the Raptors MOU

The Coordinating Unit of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MOU) and the CMS Secretariat wishes to share the following information concerning the Fourth Meeting of Signatories to the Raptors MOU (MOS4).

Date and venue

The MOS4 of the Raptors MOU will take place from 30 November to 2 December 2026 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

The meeting will be hosted by the Government of Zimbabwe.

For planning purposes, Signatories may wish to note that a Joint Meeting of CMS and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on Land Degradation Neutrality Targets is planned to take place from 3 to 4 December 2026 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The meeting is being scheduled immediately following MOS4 in view of the thematic synergies between the two processes. Further information will be communicated separately.

Formal invitations, together with practical information regarding registration, accommodation and logistical arrangements, will be circulated in due course.

Call for voluntary financial contributions

In view of the financial requirements associated with the organization of MOS4, the Coordinating Unit kindly invites Signatories to consider making voluntary financial contributions to help address the remaining funding needs for the meeting. Such support would contribute to ensuring the effective and inclusive organization of MOS4, including facilitating the participation of eligible Signatories.

The Secretariat will provide financial support to assist the participation of Signatories eligible for financial assistance at MOS4, in accordance with paragraph 13 of Resolution 15.1. Priority consideration for financial assistance will be given to Signatories that have completed the submission of their national report through the dedicated online platform.

Voluntary contributions to support the participation of eligible non-Signatory Range State governments at MOS4 would also be welcomed, in support of efforts to encourage broader participation in, and accession to, the Raptors MOU.

Please contact Ms. Rima Almubarak ([email protected]) should you wish to discuss possible contributions or funding arrangements.

Timeline & document deadline for MOS4

Deadlines for the documents’ submission and circulation in advance of MOS4 are established in the MOU Text and the Rules of Procedure adopted at the Third Meeting of Signatories (MOS3, Dubai, July 2023). These deadlines are presented in the below table.

Signatories are requested to submit relevant documents to the Coordinating Unit at [email protected] by the applicable deadlines.