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The 26th International Ornithological Congress will be held over 18-24 August 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.  The International Ornithological Congress series forms the oldest and largest international series of meetings of ornithologists.  It is organised by the International Ornithologists' Union (IOU), a group of about 200 ornithologists.  The first meeting was held in Vienna, Austria in 1884.  The 26th Congress President is Professor Franz Bairlein of Germany and the Chair of the National Committee is Professor Hiroyoshi Higuchi of the University of Tokyo.  The congress venue will be Rikkyo University, Ikebukuro, Tokyo.

"We would like to invite all ornithologists in the world to the 2014 International Ornithological Congress (IOC), Japan. It will only be the second Congress held in Asia.  Recently, in Asian countries, interests in ornithology are increasing for conservation and academic research.  The 26th International Ornithological Congress in Japan in 2014 will bring wonderful opportunities for delegates to access beautiful nature of Japan and surrounding areas, and will aid rapid progress in ornithology not only in Japan but throughout Asia." (click here for the 26th IOC official web site).

Calls are now being made for proposals for symposia and for nominations of plenary speakers, with deadlines of 1 June this year.  Each symposium should have two convenors.  Preference will be given to symposia with co-conveners from different continents or at least different countries.  Calls for contributed papers will be sent out in early 2013.

The Short-tailed Albatross breeds in both Japan and the USA
Photograph by Cynthia Vanderlip

"The IOU seeks to support, promote, and advance avian biology by (1) disseminating ornithological knowledge; (2) interacting with other scientific organizations, foundations and institutions; (3) stimulating and strengthening locally-based research that includes the participation of amateur ornithologists; (4) cultivating collegial, collaborative, mentoring and mutually supportive relationships among ornithologists internationally and without restrictions imposed by cultural or political differences; and (5) fostering knowledge transfer between basic research and applied sciences, such as conservation."

Meanwhile the deadline for submitting abstracts (and "early-bird" registration) for the 5th International Albatross and Petrel Conference (IAPC5), to be held in Wellington, New Zealand over 12-17 August this year is 1 April - only three weeks away.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 March 2012