Welcome to the Pan-African Ornithological Congress (PAOC15)
21-25 November 2022
Elephant Hills Conference Centre
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe
This website has been generously sponsored by The A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI)
PAOC15 will be a full in-person event because a key goal of the congress is to enable those working and interested in ornithology and in bird/nature conservation across Africa to get together, share experiences and develop and strengthen partnerships. Whilst the world has adapted to online meetings, there is still much value to meeting in person. Plan your participation now!
Registration is open – Early Bird Rates apply until 31 May 2022.
We look forward to welcoming you to PAOC15 in Zimbabwe.
ABOUT PAOC
The Pan-African Ornithological Congress (PAOC) is held once every four years and it brings together hundreds of professional and dedicated amateur ornithologists. The Fifteenth PAOC (PAOC15) will be held in 2022.
KEY DATES
| Early Bird registration deadline | 31 May 2022 |
| Abstract submission deadline | 31 May 2022 |
| Support Fund application deadline | 31 May 2022 |
THE AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE CONGRESS ARE:
- To further the study of African birds
- To promote the preservation of African birds as an integral part of the African Heritage
- To foster the appreciation of birds and discussion of African birds in relation to man
- To disseminate information on African birds through appropriate international meetings (e.g. the Congresses) and publications (e.g. the proceedings of the Congresses).
COVID-19
- The PAOC15 Congress organisers will do everything they can to make the event safe. We will comply with any local and international restrictions in place at the time and we reserve the right to introduce checks for proof of vaccination or negative test at any point before the Congress.
- Delegates are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated before arrival in Zimbabwe.
- Delegates are advised to check the Covid-19 requirements in their home country before travel.
- At the present time, proof of a negative PCR test taken not more than 48 hours before travel is required for entry into Zimbabwe, and again on departure from Zimbabwe. The Local Organising Committee can assist with Covid tests in Victoria Falls if necessary.
- If you are unable to attend the Congress because of COVID-19 requirements or restrictions introduced after you have registered, you will be entitled to a full refund of your registration fee (less bank charges and admin costs).
- If the Congress is cancelled due to the pandemic, all registration fees will be refunded (less bank charges and admin costs).
Further general information, including terms regarding cancellation not caused by the pandemic, can be found in the Registration Terms and Conditions.
Comprising of West Africa and associated islands east to Libya, Chad and Nigeria;
WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PAOC COMMITTEE
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 in 2022 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/
Prof./Dr. Sidi Imad CHERKAOUI
Associate Professor
Ecole Supérieure de Technologie de Kénifra
(University of Ibn Tofail)
Morocco
Chair PAOC Committee
