The 16th Meeting of the Group of Experts on Protected Areas and Ecological Networks and the 5th Meeting of the Working Group on Overseeing the Implementation of the Strategic Plan took place jointly in Lagodekhi, Georgia, on 29 and 30 September 2026. The joint meeting was held back-to-back with an on-the-spot appraisal visit for the European Diploma for Protected Areas.
Hosted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and the Agency of Protected Areas, the meeting brought together representatives of the Bern Convention’s Contracting Parties, observer organisations, NGOs and independent experts.
Participants reviewed the outcomes of reporting under Resolution No. 8 (2012), including changes to the checklists made during the reporting exercise. They discussed the need to continue updating the Emerald Network databases to ensure that national species and habitat checklists are aligned.
The groups also discussed the findings of a legal analysis on the scope for authorising potentially harmful activities, as well as guidelines for explaining negative changes in the Emerald Network.
Participants received updates on the implementation of the Bern Convention’s Strategic Plan and agreed on the next steps. Contracting Parties also shared information on the progress of Emerald Network development in their respective countries.
As part of the meeting, participants visited Lagodekhi Protected Area, Georgia’s first Emerald site.
The Georgian authorities also hosted an on-the-spot appraisal visit to Lagodekhi Protected Areas from 30 September to 2 October 2026. The protected area was assessed through an initial site visit, followed by consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, including local government representatives, protected-area administration staff, local hospitality businesses, NGOs and community organisations, and the scientific community. The appraisal concluded with a further on-site visit.
For more information, please visit the dedicated meeting webpages:
