The Bureau of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats held its second annual meeting on 17 and 18 June 2026.
During this important gathering, Bureau members focused on key issues related to the Convention’s strategic and institutional development, including the Bern Convention’s contribution to the implementation of the Council of Europe Strategy on the Environment 2025–2030.
The Bureau reviewed progress in the Convention’s work programme and considered participation in key upcoming international events, including the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Armenia and the 31st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (COP 31).
It also examined developments concerning the future evolution of the Convention, notably the reflections on possible improvements to the complaint system, including revisions to the complaint form and certain procedural aspects.
In addition, the Bureau took stock of progress in monitoring species and habitats under the Convention, including developments related to the Emerald Network, the new online reporting system for biennial reports and the outcomes of the national reporting under Resolution No. 8 (2012) on the conservation status of species and habitats for the period 2019-2024.
The Bureau also considered matters relating to the implementation of the Convention, including recent developments concerning the Vjosa–Narta Emerald candidate site in Albania. It then examined a number of case files and complaints submitted under the Convention’s monitoring mechanism.
For more information and to consult the agenda, please visit the dedicated meeting webpage.
