The convention aims to ensure conservation of wild flora and fauna species and their habitats. Special attention is given to endangered and vulnerable species, including endangered and vulnerable migratory species specified in appendices.

The parties undertake to take all appropriate measures to ensure the conservation of the habitats of the wild flora and fauna species. Such measures should be included in the parties planning and development policies and pollution control, with particular attention to the conservation of wild flora and fauna. The parties undertake to promote education and disseminate general information concerning the need to conserve species of wild flora and fauna and their habitats.

The convention establishes a standing committee on which the parties are represented by their delegates. The committee's principal task is to monitor the provisions of this convention in the light of development of the wild flora and the assessment of its needs. For this purpose, the standing committee is especially competent to make recommendations to the parties and amendments to the appendices where these protected species are specified.

Council of Europe webpage on the Bern Convention