Dear Ornithologists, Colleagues and Friends,

On behalf of the Congress Committee, we warmly welcome you to the 15th Pan-African Ornithological Congress (PAOC), which will be hosted by BirdLife Zimbabwe between 16 and 20 November 2020 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The theme of the Congress is URBANISING AFRICA AND ITS EFFECTS ON BIRDS and we look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful Republic of Zimbabwe.

Over the last five decades and since the first congress that was held in Livingstone (Zambia) in 1957, the PAOC has made tremendous contributions to research and capacities, especially for early African career scientists and students, resulting in impacts in many bird conservation stories and achievements.

The host and sponsors of the 15th Pan-African Ornithological Congress are committed to enabling as many African and non-African biologists and ornithologists to attend the congress and present their research and conservation results.

The PAOC meets every 4 years and aims to further the study of African birds, to promote the preservation of African birds and their habitats as an integral part of African heritage and ecosystems, to foster the appreciation of birds and discussion of African birds in relation to humans, and to disseminate information on African birds through appropriate international meetings (Congresses) and publications (Proceedings of the Congresses).

An exciting programme is being developed for this congress that will allow attendees to reflect upon and celebrate our past accomplishments, renew friendships and extend our networks and jointly explore current and future research directions.  We hope that you will have a productive and fun‐filled time at this very special congress

To put a congress of this magnitude together is not a small task.  To that end, special thanks to:

• the Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe for their support
• the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development of Zimbabwe for taking on the role of Chair of PAOC15,

and the PAOC Local Organizing Committee, the PAOC Secretariat and the PAOC Scientific Committee.

Further information about the congress is available at https://www.paoc15.org/

Pr. Sidi Imad Cherkaoui
Associate Professor
Ecole Supérieure de Technologie de Khénifra
(University of Soltane Moulay Slimane)
BP 170 Khénifra 54000
Morocco

Chair PAOC Committee