17th Meeting of the Working Group on Biodiversity
24 February 2026 | 9:00 to 12:40 CET | Online
The 17th Meeting of the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Biodiversity took place online on 24 February 2026, from 09:00 to 12:40 CET, held in close cooperation with the Chair of the Working Group on Biodiversity – the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic and Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention.
The meeting placed a special focus on large carnivore conservation and sustainable management in the Carpathian region.
Key objectives of the meeting:
A substantive part of the meeting was dedicated to final consultations on the Thematic Guidance documents developed under the LECA project, covering:
- monitoring harmonisation,
- conflict prevention, and
- poaching investigation.
In addition, the meeting initiated the process for the development of a Conservation Strategy for the Carpathian lynx (Lynx lynx carpathicus).
Follow-up workshop on the Carpathian lynx:
Following the WG Biodiversity meeting, a dedicated workshop was organized on the same day, 24 February 2026, from 13:00 to 17:00 CET, to support the work of an Expert Group to be established for the development of the Lynx Conservation Strategy.
For more information about the topics discussed at the WG Biodiversity meeting, please consult the meeting agenda and report above, and background documents and links below.
MEETING DOCUMENTS AND LINKS
Presentations:
- Presentation of the Carpathian Lynx Strategy process, next step, and discussion – Jochen Krebühl, Stiftung Natur und Umwelt RLP
- Consultations on draft Thematic Guidances on monitoring harmonisation, conflict prevention, and poaching investigation deriving from the LECA project – Martin Dul’a, Mendel University in Brno / Project Lead Partner
- Presentation of the way forward and next steps for the revision of the International Action Plan on the Conservation of Large Carnivores and Ecological Connectivity in the Carpathians – Carpathian Convention Secretariat
- Implementing the Carpathian Biodiversity Framework: Presentation of the Carpathian LIFE Strategic Nature Project (SNaP) – Carpathian Convention Secretariat
- NaturaConnect project: Building a resilient ecological network of conserved areas across Europe for nature and people – presentation of updates – Hildegard Meyer, World Wildlife Fund Central and Eastern Europe
- ForestConnect project: Towards a Climate-smart Forest Connectivity for Large Carnivores in the Balkan-Carpathian-Dinaric Region – presentation of updates – Strategic Action Plan – Adaptation Actions and Climate Resilience-Enhancing Forest Management Practices for Protected Areas – Polona Zakrajšek, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences
Large Carnivores:
- International Action Plan on conservation of large carnivores and ensuring ecological connectivity in the Carpathians
- Proposal for a Concerted Action for the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) Proposed for Listing on Appendix II of the CMS Convention
- Proposal for the Inclusion of the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) in Appendix II and Balkan Lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus) in Appendix I of the CMS Convention
Carpathian Biodiversity Framework:
- Carpathian Biodiversity Framework
- Guidance Document for Streamlining the Carpathian Biodiversity Framework into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans
- Protocol on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological and Landscape Diversity (Biodiversity Protocol)
- Terms of Reference for the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological and Landscape Diversity (updated)
- WG Biodiversity Work Plan 2021 – 2023
- WG Biodiversity Work Plan 2024 – 2026
Relevant Projects and Networks:
- NaturaConnect project on building a resilient ecological network of conserved areas across Europe for nature and people
- LECA project on supporting the coexistence and conservation of Carpathian Large Carnivores
- ForestConnect project: Towards a Climate-smart Forest Connectivity for Large Carnivores in the Balkan-Carpathian Region
- Recommendations and Inputs from the Science for the Carpathians
