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IMPORTANT NOTICE: MOS4 IS POSTPONED

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Fourth Meeting of Signatory States to the Dugong MOU (MOS4), originally scheduled to take place from 6 to 7 May 2024 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is postponed. The exact dates for the Meeting will be communicated as soon as possible following consultation with the Host Country. Signatory States and Observers who have already registered via the registration platform for MOS4 will not need to re-register. For further information, please contact the Secretariat of the Dugong MOU at [email protected].

Please check this page regularly for updates and more information

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The Fourth Meeting of Signatory States (MOS4) to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs (Dugong dugon) and their Habitats throughout their Range (Dugong MOU), will be held from 6 – 7 May 2024 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

MOS4 offers the opportunity to convene the 27 Signatory States to the Dugong MOU, as well as leading international dugong and seagrass experts, to review progress on the conservation of dugongs and their habitats across the MOU’s area since 2017, celebrate successes, and define the focus of future priorities. The Signatory States will review proposed amendments to the MOU and its Annexes, including the Conservation Management Plan (as a result of a review carried out in 2020, as agreed at MOS3). 

Following MOS4, The 2024 Dugtng & Seagrass Technical Workshop will be held on 8 May 2024, immediatley following the MOS4, at the same venue. Further information on the Technical Workshop is available on the 2024 Dugong & Seagrass Technical Workshop website.

Please read the following information carefully:

Meeting Dates and Venue
MOS4 will take place from 6 - 7 May in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Venue: Crowne Plaza Riyadh Minhal, an IHG Hotel

Address: Old Airport Road, Al Wizarat, Riyash 11484, Saudi Arabia

Participant Registration
As per the Dugong MOU Rules of Procedure (ROP), Non-Signatory Range States, the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies, co-operating partners and any agency or body technically qualified in the conservation and management of dugongs and their habitats may participate as observers.

If you are interested in attending MOS4, please register online no later than 7 March 2024. Registration after this date will not be possible.

Support for Participation
Limited resources are available to support the participation of official representatives from eligible Signatory States. Signatory States are urged to consider attending the meeting at their own cost, even if eligible to receive financial support. Travel support for eligible countries will be subject to timely registration and submission of valid credentials.

Credentials for Participating in the Meeting and Full Powers to Sign the MOU
Heads of Delegations, any Alternative Representatives, and other members of the delegations of Signatory States must be granted permission to fully represent respective Signatory States and vote at the Meeting. This permission must be granted by, or on behalf of the relevant appropriate authority. The letter of credential should be signed and stamped on official letterhead. Please refer to the Rules of Procedure (Rule 5.2) for full details. 
A template letter of credentials is available here

A scanned copy of the letter of credentials must be submitted to [email protected] in English, with copy to [email protected] by 7 March 2024.

The original letter of credentials/instrument of full powers must be presented at the registration desk upon arrival at the Meeting venue.

Meeting Documents
Meeting documents shall be published in English on this webpage as they become available, and no later than 30 days before the start of the Meeting.

National Reporting
Signatory States are kindly requested to submit their National Reports on implementation of the Dugong MOU by 29 February 2024 to the Dugong MOU Secretariat: [email protected] with copy to: [email protected]. The National Report Template is available here.

2024 Dugong & Seagrass Technical Workshop 
The 2024 Seagrass & Dugong Technical Workshop will take place on 8 May 2024, immediately following MOS4. The Workshop will be co-hosted by the National Centre for Wildlife (NCW) and the Dugong MOU Secretariat, and will take place at the same venue as MOS4.

The Workshop will be highly interactive and of relevance to researchers, conservation practitioners and marine resource managers. It aims to encourage and improve coordinated regional collaboration efforts to research, monitor and protect dugong populations and seagrass ecosystems.

If you are interested in attending the workshop, please register online no later than 7 March 2024. Limited resources are available to support participation and timely registration is encouraged.

Further information will be made available soon on the 2024 Dugong & Seagrass Technical Workshop webpage. 

Application for Side-Events and Exhibits
Signatory States and Observers are encouraged to actively contribute to the success of the Meeting by presenting their work or issues of interest by hosting a Side-Event or an Exhibit. To apply for this, a form (for Side-Events; or for Exhibits) must be completed and submitted to [email protected], with copy to [email protected] by 29 February 2024.

Code of Conduct
All participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards all other persons attending or involved with the Meeting. Discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and sexual abuse and exploitation will not be tolerated at the Meeting. Participants are invited to carefully review the Code of Conduct for Events Organised under CMS, which will apply to the Meeting.

Visas
On behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the National Centre for Wildlife (NCW), will arrange visas for all participants. We encourage Representatives to register and submit credentials as soon as possible to ensure all travel and visa arrangements are completed in time.

Interpretation
English, the working language of the Dugong MOU, shall be the working language of the Meeting.

A delegate may speak in a language other than the working language. They shall be responsible for providing interpretation into the working language. Any document submitted to the Dugong MOU Secretariat in any language other than the working language should be accompanied by an appropriate translation into English (ROP Rule 14.2).

Queries
For further information, please contact the Dugong MOU Secretariat at: [email protected]t