On 27-30 November 2018, the Bern Convention organised the 38th annual meeting of its Standing Committee. Contracting Parties, experts and NGO representatives gathered to discuss the outcomes of activities implemented throughout 2018, in particular in the field of combating illegal killing of birds, the constitution of the Emerald Network and the conservation of large carnivores. The Committee further debated proposals for change in the protection status of the wolf and of the barnacle goose, submitted respectively by Switzerland and Norway.

Besides, the Standing Committee meeting is 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 the coordination with other Multilateral Environment Agreements and organisations and planned the organization of the 40th anniversary of the signature of the Convention in 2019.

The webpage of the meeting can be accessed from here.