On 3-6 December 2019, the Bern Convention held the 39th annual meeting of its Standing Committee. Contracting Parties, experts and NGO representatives gathered to discuss the outcomes of activities implemented throughout 2019, including in the field of combating illegal killing of birds, the fight against invasive alien species, linking climate change, protected areas and biodiversity, and the progress in the constitution of the Emerald Network. The Committee also debated a proposal for change in the protection status of the barnacle goose, submitted by Norway. 

The Standing Committee meeting was also the occasion to assess progress on case-files linked to complaints submitted by citizens and NGOs for presumed breaches of the Convention. The Committee also discussed the future financing of the Convention and its role in the decade 2020-2030.

Celebrations of the Bern Convention’s 40th anniversary, which saw the launch of a campaign on the date of signature, 19th September, continued during the week with exhibitions, receptions, and the signature of the Biodiversity Charter of Strasbourg. The website created for the 40th anniversary can be accessed here.

The webpage of the meeting containing the draft agenda and all working documents can be accessed here.