Convention on the Conservation of

European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

Resolution No. 7 (2000) of the Standing Committee on the medium-term strategic development of the Convention on the Conservation of European wildlife and Natural Habitats

(Adopted by the Standing Committee on 1 December 2000)

The Standing Committee,

Recalling that the Convention is a successful Council of Europe treaty and its main legal instrument in the field of biological diversity, having been ratified by 43 States, including 38 Council of Europe member states, and the European Community;

Recalling that in the 18 years since its entry into force in 1982, it has carried out a very substantial work in the field of conservation of biological diversity, particularly on threatened species and natural habitats, and on the setting up of the Emerald Network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest, having also developed a thorough monitoring system based on reporting and complaints that is of great efficiency within biodiversity related treaties;

Recalling the Monaco Declaration (1994), which affirmed that the objectives of the Convention are largely in line with the objectives set in Agenda 21 and the Convention on Biological Diversity and acknowledged that regional international organisations should act with a view of favouring the application of such Convention;

Aware of the new priorities decided by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, of the need to promote synergies within the organisation and avoid overlap of environment activities in order to make better use of resources, and favouring a concentration of efforts and action around the Convention;

Stressing that the conservation of biological diversity is an important component of the quality of life of European citizens and a part of their rights to a healthy environment and taking into account, in this context, of the human dimension of the activities promoted under the Convention;

Reaffirming that its main role as a committee is to follow the application of the Convention and assist states in the implementation of its provisions, and noting in this context the fruitful working relationships that it has established over the years with other relevant treaties, organisations and processes;

Recognising that the Convention can increase its political profile at the regional and international level by opening up its scope to deal with biological diversity from the perspective of the sustainable use of its components in line with its articles 2 and 3;

RESOLVES TO

Strategic aspects

1. Play a more active role in the implementation, at the regional level, of the Convention on Biological Diversity and adapt accordingly its tasks and responsibilities to such purpose, establishing appropriate synergies with the pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy and other relevant treaties, initiatives and organisations;

2. Become more active on areas where, as a result of conflict or accident, biological diversity is under threat, creating the necessary mechanisms for fast on-the-spot intervention and assistance;

Programme

3. Give the highest priority to the monitoring of the implementation of the provisions of the Convention, including the setting of standards and the appropriate assistance to Parties and observer states; reinforce such monitoring activities in a transparent way through reporting, regular follow up of its recommendations, and efficient use of the “case file” procedure, promoting the use of on-the-spot appraisals as problem-solving and negotiation tools;

4. Adapt its programme of activities to better follow relevant issues in the agenda of the Convention on Biological Diversity, exploring its possible contribution in the fields of its competence on issues such as “wildlife diversity in agro-ecosystems”, while reinforcing its work on areas in which it has particular expertise, such as “conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity”, “bio-indicators and monitoring of biological diversity”, “invasive alien species” and “biological diversity in threatened ecosystems”;

5. Maintain, with the necessary adaptations, the activities of its specialised groups of experts looking for appropriate synergies and partnership with other relevant conventions, institutions - in particular EU and the European Environment Agency- and non-governmental organisations; explore the out-sourcing, where appropriate, of such technical activities;

Resources

6. Continue, in the short term, to use the double system of Council of Europe funds and voluntary contributions for the financing of activities, while examining other possible solutions;

Methods

7. Organise more efficiently and cost-effectively its technical work which may include the establishment of an Advisory Scientific Committee that could provide technical and scientific assistance to the Standing Committee;

8. Instruct its Secretariat and the Bureau to look into the ways and means to implement this resolution, and to search for synergies with other Council of Europe programmes and initiatives in the field of Cultural and Natural Heritage and Sustainable Development.