The Seven Carpathian Countries to Gather at the Conference of the Parties

Representatives of the seven Parties to the Carpathian Convention, together with international organizations, experts, civil society, development partners, and regional stakeholders, will gather in Vienna from 1 to 3 December 2026 for the Eighth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Carpathian Convention (CC COP8). 

Established in 2003, the Carpathian Convention unites the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine in a shared commitment to the protection and sustainable development of the Carpathian Mountains, Europe’s second-largest mountain range. The Secretariat of the Convention is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 

As the Convention’s highest decision-making body, the Conference of the Parties (COP) sets the political direction of the Convention, adopts its Programme of Work and budget, and reviews progress in implementing the Convention and its Protocols. 

Strengthening Regional Cooperation for the Carpathians 

COP8 will provide a platform for governments and stakeholders from across the region to discuss shared priorities, exchange experiences and good practices, and strengthen cooperation on environmental protection and sustainable development. 

The meeting will focus on advancing implementation of the Carpathian Convention and its five Protocols covering biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism, forest management, agriculture, and transport. Participants will also explore opportunities to strengthen partnerships and translate regional commitments into practical action at national and local levels. 

Advancing Biodiversity Conservation Across the Region 

A major focus of COP8 will be strengthening biodiversity conservation and ecological connectivity throughout the Carpathians. 

Delegates are expected to consider the adoption of two important regional policy instruments: 

• The Carpathian Lynx Strategy 
• The revised International Action Plan on Large Carnivores and Ecological Connectivity 

These initiatives will contribute to the implementation of the Carpathian Biodiversity Framework Implementation Plan 2027-2035, adopted in February 2026, and support efforts to enhance biodiversity protection, ecological connectivity, and ecosystem resilience across the mountain region. 

A New Presidency for the Carpathian Convention 

A key milestone of COP8 will be the official transfer of the Presidency of the Carpathian Convention from Serbia to Ukraine. 

Building on the achievements of the Serbian Presidency (2023-2026), Ukraine will assume the Presidency for the period 2026-2029, guiding the implementation of the Convention’s Programme of Work through four strategic priorities: 

• Strengthening the position of the Carpathians and the Carpathian Convention at the European level; 
• Balancing economic development with environmental protection; 
• Advancing biodiversity conservation and ecosystem integrity through implementation of the Carpathian Biodiversity Framework; 
• Strengthening climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction through sustainable water and land management. 

Discussions throughout COP8 will explore practical pathways for advancing these priorities and increasing the visibility, relevance, and impact of the Carpathian region within European environmental, biodiversity, and regional development policies. 

Partnership and Knowledge as Drivers of Success 

The Carpathian Convention recognizes that effective implementation depends on collaboration across borders and sectors. 

COP8 will bring together governments, experts, researchers, civil society organizations, local communities, protected area managers, the private sector, and development partners to exchange knowledge and identify solutions that support sustainable development while safeguarding the Carpathians’ unique natural and cultural heritage. 

The conference will emphasize the importance of combining scientific expertise, policy innovation, and local knowledge to turn regional commitments into tangible results for people and nature. 

Supporting the Recovery and Resilience of the Ukrainian Carpathians 

COP8 will also provide an important opportunity to discuss priorities for the recovery and resilience of the Ukrainian Carpathians. 

In line with the COP7 Ministerial Declaration on the impact of war in Ukraine and the measures adopted under the Carpathian Convention to support Ukraine, Parties, the Secretariat, and partners have worked together to advance biodiversity conservation, environmental recovery, institutional capacity-building, regional cooperation, project development, and the mobilization of international support and financing. 

The conference will provide a platform for governments, donors, experts, and stakeholders to identify opportunities for continued cooperation and support for the sustainable recovery of the Ukrainian Carpathians. 

Registration 

Registration for COP8 is open until 30 October 2026. 

For more information and registration, visit: