Bern Convention Newsroom
Celebrating 60 Years of Protecting Europe’s Natural Heritage: The Granada Declaration
This week, the Bern Convention marked the 60th anniversary of the European Diploma for Protected Areas—a flagship initiative of the Council of Europe that recognises and supports exceptional protected areas of European importance. The anniversary conference took place in Granada and brought...
International Day for Biological Diversity 2025
The Bern Convention celebrates the International Day for Biological Diversity (22 May) and its 2025 theme, “Harmony with nature and sustainable development”. The IDB 2025 campaign seeks to focus the world’s attention on the linkages between the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals...
60th anniversary of the European Diploma for Protected Areas
2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the European Diploma for Protected Areas, a prestigious international award granted since 1965 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. It recognises natural and semi-natural areas and landscapes of exceptional European importance for the...
Joint Meeting of CMS MIKT and Bern Convention on IKB, held back-to-back with the meeting of the Bern Convention Group of Experts on the Conservation of Wild Birds
The Joint Meeting of the Bern Convention Network of Special Focal Points (SFPs) on Eradication of Illegal Killing, Trapping, and Trade in Wild Birds, and the CMS Intergovernmental Task Force on Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the Mediterranean (MIKT) took place from 13-15...
1st meeting of the Bureau of the Bern Convention in 2025
The Bureau of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats held its first annual meeting from 8 to 10 April 2025 in Strasbourg. The agenda of this meeting included a presentation of the progress made by the Working Group overseeing...
Modification of wolf protection under the Bern Convention enters into force
As of today, 7 March 2025, the modification of wolf protection under the Bern Convention enters into force. On 6 December 2024, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention adopted a proposal submitted by the European Union to modify the protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus) from "strictly...
44th meeting of the Standing Committee
The Standing Committee to the Bern Convention held its 44th meeting from 2 to 6 December 2024 in Strasbourg. Results of the 44th Standing Committee Meeting The meeting allowed the Contracting Parties, observers, NGO representatives and experts to acknowledge the achievements and issues concerning...
Bern Convention Standing Committee approves EU proposal to modify wolf protection
The Council of Europe’s Bern Convention Committee has adopted an EU proposal to modify the status of wolf (Canis lupus) protection from “strictly protected fauna species” (Appendix II) to “protected fauna species” (Appendix III). The final decision will be published on Friday 6 December. The...
EU proposal to amend Appendices II and III of the Bern Convention on the wolf
The European Union's made a proposal on 27 September 2024 to reclassify the wolf (Canis lupus) from Appendix II (Strictly protected fauna species) to Appendix III (Protected fauna species) of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. EU proposal Questions...
45th Anniversary of the Bern Convention
Open to signature on 19th September 1979, the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats was the first international treaty to protect both species and habitats...
3rd meeting of the Bureau of the Bern Convention
The Bureau of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats held its third ordinary meeting of the year from 10 to 12 September 2024 in Strasbourg.
On-the-spot appraisal (OSA) in Anamur Mersin, Türkiye
On 2 – 4 July 2024 an on-the-spot-appraisal (OSA) was convened in Anamur Mersin, Türkiye. Related to the case-file 2019/5: Habitat destruction in Mersin Anamur Beach, the appraisal included visits to the habitats of the Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas)...
International Day for Biodiversity 2024
The Bern Convention takes part in the International Day for Biodiversity on May 22!
Technical Workshop on “Challenges & opportunities for the conservation of reptiles and large carnivores during linear infrastructure development in South-East Europe: a case study for the Kresna area”
The Bern Convention, in collaboration with the Infrastructure and Ecology Network Europe (IENE), Bulgarian Government and Bulgarian NGO Balkani Wildlife Society, held a Technical Workshop on “Challenges & opportunities for the conservation of reptiles and large carnivores during linear...
Group of Experts on Protected Areas and Ecological Networks
The Group of Experts on Protected Areas and Ecological Networks held its 14th meeting from 17 to 18 April 2024 in Vaduz (Liechtenstein). The meeting was organised within the frame of presidency of Liechtenstein of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The Group of Experts on...
1st meeting of the Bureau of the Bern Convention in 2024
The Bureau to the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention held its first meeting of 2024 on 18-19 March in Strasbourg.
Group of Specialists on the European Diploma for Protected Areas
The Group of Specialists on the European Diploma for Protected Areas held its annual meeting from 20 to 21 February 2024 in Strasbourg. The Group discussed consequences of the cessation of the membership of the Russian Federation to the Council of Europe and of the freeze of the technical...
The Bern Convention adopts a Strategic Plan to guide its progress towards 2030 targets on nature conservation
On the 1st December 2023, a landmark moment occurred when the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention adopted a Strategic Plan to 2030.
43rd Standing Committee meeting
The Bern Convention held its 43rd Standing Committee meeting from 27th November to 1st December 2023 in Strasbourg. Contracting Parties, observers, NGO representatives and experts discussed the outcomes of activities implemented throughout 2023, and those planned for next year. Activities...
11th Meeting of the Group of Experts on the Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles
The 11th meeting of the Group of Experts on the Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles took place in Strasbourg on the 26th of September. The main objective of the meeting was to discuss distribution maps of amphibian and reptile species occurrence across the protected area network of Natura...
