2026/011: Call for Members of the Intersessional Working Group on National Reports

The CMS Conference of the Parties at its 15^th meeting (COP15) adopted Decision 15.7(b), requesting the Standing Committee to adopt a new template for National Reports for COP16, and periodically review its effectiveness to ensure clarity and usability. Resolution 12.05 (Rev.COP14) requests the Secretariat to make the format for the National Reports available to Parties at least 15 months in advance of the deadline for submission of National Reports. 

A first draft of the revised National Reports template, aligned with the Samarkand Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2024-2032, has been developed by UNEP-WCMC at the request of the CMS Secretariat in the previous triennium, based on Decision 14.25, and was made available to Parties as information document UNEP/CMS/COP15/Inf.22.

The 58th Meeting of the Standing Committee established the Intersessional Working Group (IWG) on National Reports to provide input to the Secretariat to finalize the new format of National Reports, which will align with the Samarkand Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2024–2032. 

The Secretariat encourages members of the Standing Committee and of the Scientific Council's Sessional Committee to participate in this IWG as members. Representatives of Parties not members of the Standing Committee, Scientific Councillors not members of the Sessional Committee, and stakeholder organizations are also invited to participate as observers.

Please indicate your interest in joining this working group by email to [email protected] and to [email protected] by 31 July 2026.

To facilitate preparations for the first meeting of the working group, the working group members may wish to provide written comments and observations on the first draft of the revised National Reports template by 15 August 2026.